A shark expert said that people should be cautious when swimming at beaches around Cape Cod after sharks were spotted in the area.
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said on July 1 that researchers spotted at least 11 sharks swimming near Cape Cod, noting that it had tagged two of them. A third shark was tagged on Tuesday.
Video footage shared by the organization showed one of the sharks swimming near a boat.
Also on Tuesday, six great white sharks were spotted off Provincetown, Truro, and Orleans, the group said. Another one was about 40 yards off Marconi Beach in Wellfleet.
After the sightings, a shark expert warned people to be careful.
“Take into consideration that you are a land animal going in the ocean, and be vigilant.”
"They are following the food," Skomal added, referring to seals in the area. "And the food, unfortunately, is very close to shore, and we are very close to shore."
Cape Cod rescue officials have recently installed emergency boxes labeled "Severe Bleeding and First Aid."
They have a tourniquet and other items used to treat shark attack victims.
"If you access this box you have a pretty good cache of what you may need in a major emergency," Orleans Fire Chief Anthony Pike said.
Shark attacks are rarely fatal but often leave victims with severe injuries, sometimes resulting in the loss of one or more limbs.
Increased attention is paid to sharks in the summer months because that's when crowds go the beach.
Another shark expert said that shark-infested waters around Cape Cod is now normal.
Purple flags are up at beaches with shark-infested waters, serving as warnings.
“We want to remind people that as you’re interacting in this wild area, there are a variety of animals out there, including sharks,” said Ryan Wright, acting chief ranger for Cape Cod National Seashore. “There’s a certain amount of risk you’re assuming as you go into the ocean."
People should swim in groups and limit splashing, he said. They should also not go into water that doesn't have good visibility.
The slew of sightings came about a year after a swimmer was killed by a shark. Three people have been bitten off Wellfleet and Truro in recent years.
Arthur Medici, 26, was killed in September while boogie boarding off Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet.
"I dragged him back to shore about 35 to 40 yards. When I got to shore I was exhausted. I couldn’t bring him more up the shore. I fell down and I was still carrying him. I got a boogie board strap and I tied it around his thigh to try to stop the bleeding.”
Medici was later pronounced dead at a hospital.