Sharks in Cape Cod Waters: Awe, Understanding, Awareness

Located at Coast Guard Beach, Eastham

The underwater world that exists just offshore is the natural habitat for one of the ocean’s most fascinating animals: the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Sharks have existed for 450 million years and are not new to our local waters. Henry David Thoreau wrote about them in his 19th-century book Cape Cod, and they have been dramatized in popular culture. Yet, in reality, we know very little about these mysterious fish.

As top predators, white sharks play a crucial role in the health of the marine environment by supporting a predator-prey balance. Younger sharks eat small prey like fish and squid. Adults feed on seals and other marine mammals.

White sharks grow slowly and do not mature until they are over 10 years old. Females give birth to two to ten pups every few years. This low reproductive rate makes them vulnerable to overfishing. Hunted for both food and trophy purposes, shark populations are thought to be in decline worldwide. Scientific research is helping to build our understanding of sharks, how they fit into the coastal ecosystem, and the need to protect them.

With sharks present in local waters, it is important to follow advisories posted at beaches. Be aware of your surroundings. When you enter the water here, you are entering a wild world with a rich diversity of marine life — including great white sharks.

TEXT © NATIONAL PARK SERVICE