Not so ‘Shark Smart’: Man at Cape Cod seaside noticed swimming close to seals

There’s a brand new poster boy for what to not do at Cape seashores this summer season.

A person was not too long ago noticed swimming close to seals at Marconi Beach in Wellfleet — the identical seaside the place a useless seal with shark bites washed up over the weekend.

Great white sharks come to the Cape each summer season and fall, because the apex predators hunt for seals near shore.

Shark researcher John Chisholm over the weekend used the swimmer’s habits to offer out shark security ideas.

“This is NOT being ‘Shark Smart,’ ” Chisholm posted concerning the swimmer, later including, “This is the same beach where a seal carcass washed up this morning.”

Chisholm confirms sharks sightings for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app, which over the weekend despatched out a number of shark alerts for nice whites being noticed near shore at Orleans’ Nauset South OSV.

“When we have busy days like this it’s usually because the team is on the water looking for sharks,” Chisholm wrote.

“Even though there may not be alerts every day, the take away message is to be aware of where shark activity is occurring so you can be ‘Shark Smart’ and take the appropriate precautions when enjoying your day at the beach,” added Chisholm, who’s additionally an adjunct scientist within the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life.

Shark security tips embody: avoiding areas the place seals are current; being conscious that sharks hunt for seals in shallow water; staying near shore the place rescuers can attain you; not isolating your self; avoiding areas the place faculties of fish are seen; avoiding murky or low-visibility water; limiting splashing; and following all signage and flag warnings at seashores and lifeguards’ directions.