Scary Shark Sightings On Cape Cod Are Causing People to Spend More Money

The fear of sharks in the ocean are actually one of the main reasons why Cape Cod residents are opening their wallets and installing pools.

Cape Cod has long been a popular destination for both residents and tourists seeking relaxation and fun in the sun. However, recent shark sightings off the coast have sparked a significant change in local behavior. Concerns over safety have driven many Cape Cod residents to invest their hard-earned money in installing private pools. Instead of taking a dip in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, they'd rather swim in the shallow end of their own pool.

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Over the past decade, there has been a notable increase in shark sightings along the shores of Cape Cod. The region's thriving seal population, a favorite prey of great white sharks, has attracted these apex predators closer to the coast. Local news outlets have reported on numerous incidents where sharks have been observed in close proximity to swimmers and surfers, creating a sense of unease among beachgoers.

According to a report by The Boston Globe, there were 68 confirmed shark sightings off Cape Cod in 2021, marking a significant rise from previous years. The study highlights the growing presence of great white sharks in the area, with scientists attributing their increased numbers to a resurgence in seal populations and the warming of coastal waters.

The surge in shark sightings has undoubtedly influenced the behavior of Cape Cod residents and visitors alike. Many locals have expressed concerns about the safety of swimming in the ocean, especially in popular beach spots known to have had recent encounters with sharks. As a result, individuals are turning to alternative water sources to beat the summer heat.

A study conducted by Cape Cod Times found that homeowners across the region are investing in private pools at an unprecedented rate. Pool installation companies report a substantial increase in inquiries and bookings, with some reporting a year-long backlog due to overwhelming demand. The study attributes this surge to the fear of shark encounters and the desire for a safer and more controlled swimming environment.

Al, an employee from Swimming Pool & Spa Design in Hyannis, agreed that there has been an uptick in pool purchases, and most of those purchases began during the height of the pandemic when most people stayed home. Al also noted that there are many people who want pools, but the lack of employees on Cape Cod is making those instillations difficult.

As Cape Cod continues to navigate the delicate balance between safety and environmental preservation, it is crucial to appreciate the diverse marine life inhabiting these waters. By implementing measures that ensure both human safety and the conservation of the ecosystem, the region can strive to restore confidence in its stunning coastal attractions and preserve its status as a beloved destination for years to come.

It is officially shark sighting season on these Massachusetts Beaches! The weather and water are getting warmer and people are starting to run toward the beach. This allows for more shark sightings and God forbid, more shark attacks.

In fact, a whale-watching cruise out of Provincetown officially captured the first shark sighting of the season 30 miles from Boston Harbor on Sunday. With this first shark sighting, experts are now warning people this is the time to start looking out for sharks when you're visiting beaches. 

There are ways you can actually track shark sightings. One being a company called The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. There's also an app called "Sharktivity" where people can report actual shark sightings. You can see how many sightings there have been in the past month, past week and past year. Before we warn you of the beaches where you're more likely to get attacked by a shark, let's look at how you can avoid it all together. 

Stay close to shore. Play in the water in larger groups. Limit your splashing. Don't swim near schools of fish or seals. As long as you adhere to these "rules" of the water, your chances of being attacked by a shark go way down.

Shark sightings typically occur from mid-May into October when sharks visit the shorelines looking for food, aka seals. Chances of getting killed by a shark are very low although there have been two people killed since 2018. There have been more shark bites however which can lead to hospitalizations. 

So which beaches in Massachusetts are more prone to shark attacks? We've taken a look at analysis over the past 5 years and put together this list of the most shark infested beaches in the state. If you dare take a trip to any of these this summer, take extra precautions. Enjoy!

In 2019 there were 5 shark sightings here. It is consistently a popular beach for sharks to be seen although the amount of actual sharks seen here is quite low.

https://www.weneedavacation.com/Beach/High-Head-Truro/

Ballston Beach reported some shark sightings back in 2019 and is consistently an area of the Cape that sharks are seen. There were 6 sightings in 2019.

https://www.masslive.com/capecod/2019/07/ballston-beach-in-truro-to-reopen-after-great-white-shark-spotted-tuesday-morning.html

There were 7 shark sightings at Marconi Beach back in 2019 with more consistent sightings ever since.

https://www.wcvb.com/article/shark-sighting-confirmed-off-marconi-beach-in-wellfleet/28263815#:~:text=There%20was%20a%20confirmed%20sighting,seen%20in%20Cape%20Cod%20Bay.

There were 8 shark sightings back in 2019 and you can continue monitoring shark activity by using the "Sharktivity" app.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/sharks-cape-cod-trnd/index.html#:~:text=Longnook%20Beach%20in%20Truro%2C%20Massachusetts,close%20to%20shore%2C%20police%20said.&text=Sharks%20are%20pretty%20frequent%20vacationers,two%20days%20before%20this%20sighting.

There were 10 shark sightings back in 2019. Consistent shark sightings have been seen here based on the "Sharktivity" app.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/sharks-cape-cod-trnd/index.html#:~:text=Longnook%20Beach%20in%20Truro%2C%20Massachusetts,close%20to%20shore%2C%20police%20said.&text=Sharks%20are%20pretty%20frequent%20vacationers,two%20days%20before%20this%20sighting.

There were 12 sharks spotted here back in 2019. More were spotted as early as last year.

https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/08/cape-cod-shark-sighting-race-point-beach-temporarily-closed-when-shark-swims-close-to-shore.html

There were 12 sharks spotted here in 2019.

https://www.coastalneighborhoods.com/aunt-lydias-cove-chatham/

There were 13 sightings here in 2019. This included footage from a man who had gotten killed.

There were 16 shark sightings here in 2019. This beach is consistently boasting sightings of sharks including this one from 2022.

https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/06/28/cape-shark-sighting-closes-head-of-the-meadow-beach-to-swimming/#:~:text=June%2028%2C%202022%20at%201,White%20Shark%20Conservancy's%20Sharktivity%20app.

A whopping 27 sharks were spotted here in 2019.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/shark-sightings-off-us-state-a-boon-for-tourism-591905

43 sharks were seen here in 2019! There were five seen in ONE day last year.

https://www.wcvb.com/article/5-shark-sightings-reported-in-one-day-off-coast-of-popular-cape-cod-beach/40572343#:~:text=ORLEANS%2C%20Mass.%20%E2%80%94,mid%2Dto%2Dlate%20morning.