How do great white sharks and bull sharks get along? We may find out soon off the Bay State coast.
The local white shark alerts that beachgoers get throughout the summer and fall might have to add a bull-shark alert section in the future if a leading shark researcher’s prediction comes true.
After a bull shark was recently spotted off a Long Island beach, shark biologist John Chisholm said he wouldn’t be shocked if the warm-water apex predators migrate farther north.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if someone sees a bull shark in the area,” Chisholm told the Herald on Monday, citing the rising water temps year after year. “As long as the water temperature is right, this is a potential bull shark environment.”
“I predict it won’t be long before we see them off Massachusetts,” Chisholm posted online. “The water temps in Nantucket Sound and around the Islands are in the mid 70s.”
Bull sharks have been slowly increasing their range up the East Coast in recent years because of the climbing water temps.
“The Nantucket Sound is right in their comfort zone right now,” Chisholm said, adding that there’s plenty of fish for them to eat. “It’s definitely something we’ll keep an eye on, like with other shark species.”
Bull sharks also enjoy shallow warm estuaries and bays, and they can tolerate fresh water.
“Buzzards Bay could also be an ideal spot for them,” Chisholm said.
Tens of thousands of seals along Cape Cod have attracted great white sharks in recent years. Bull sharks are definitely capable of eating seals with their “nice serrated teeth,” Chisholm noted.
In addition to bull sharks, recent research has found that tiger sharks are migrating farther north each year because of warmer oceans. A large tiger shark washed up on a Nantucket beach in June, which was particularly early in the season for the warm-water species.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy recently took advantage of white sharks feasting on a dead humpback whale carcass off Scituate.
“We have some underwater video footage for you!” the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy posted. “When the team was viewing white sharks feeding on the whale carcass off of Scituate, MA a few weeks ago, they were able to get some video of this curious white shark. You can see some of its unique markings along its face!”
