Overview

• On July 4, paddleboarders Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin encountered a great white shark off Stony Beach and returned to shore without injury.
• The sighting was logged via the Sharktivity app and validated by scientists from the New England Aquarium and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.
• The last documented white shark in the area was trapped on Naushon Island in 2004, making this sighting exceptionally rare.
• Researchers note that warmer waters and a smaller seal population in Buzzards Bay contribute to infrequent shark visits.
• Authorities have expanded aerial and marine patrols and issued updated safety guidelines for beachgoers following this confirmation.