Cape Cod, a popular seaside destination in southeastern Massachusetts, is experiencing a surge in its tourism economy, which has grown from nearly $2 billion in 2019 to approximately $2.8 billion, according to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. This growth coincides with an increasing seasonal population of great white sharks in the area's waters, transforming the region into a burgeoning "white shark ecotourism destination."
The rise in great white sharks off Cape Cod is linked to the recovery of the local gray seal population, which has grown significantly since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. A 2023 study indicated that an estimated 800 individual white sharks visited the waters between 2015 and 2018, establishing the area as a major white shark hotspot.
Despite concerns, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy notes that there is no evidence these sharks have become more aggressive or changed their hunting behavior, continuing to prey on seals in shallow coastal waters during summer and fall. This predictability has allowed for the development of specialized tourism.
Shark-Focused Ecotourism
Visitors can now book shark-spotting charter trips, with private charters priced at $2,500 and open-boat charters at $500 per person. These excursions, which can book up weeks in advance, utilize spotter pilots to locate sharks. Participants can engage in citizen science by logging sightings, using hydrophones to detect tagged sharks, and contributing observations to ongoing research. A portion of the trip fees are tax-deductible as they directly support white shark research.
Adapting to Coexistence
The presence of sharks has also influenced local businesses, with a reported spike in demand for swimming pools, and at least one local pool builder advertising "shark free swimming."
However, the increased shark activity has also brought safety concerns. The area has experienced shark bites in 2012 and 2018, and in 2018, Massachusetts recorded its first fatal shark attack since 1936. Consequently, shark warning signs and "Stop the Bleed" rescue kits are now common on local beaches. The National Park Service provides safety guidelines, urging beachgoers to avoid seals and schools of fish, swim in groups, and stay out of murky water. Purple shark flags are used to indicate recent sightings, and visitors are advised to heed all posted warnings and lifeguard instructions. White shark activity is also noted to continue into the fall, beyond the peak summer season.
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy also offers the Sharktivity app, which provides real-time alerts for confirmed shark sightings near public beaches and offers shark safety information to help beachgoers stay informed.