It is an unsolvable problem with both the seals and white sharks protected by the Federal Govt., a situation that will take years to change ,if even then it is done. Mitigation is what will be done now.
Myself I like the idea of high resolution cameras taken aloft by tethered balloons along the beaches, that send images to lifeguards showing where white sharks are located. Every suggestion has a downside but, it would be a start..- Tom
I’m on the Cape, and hear about this often.
On the one hand, people are coming to see the sharks. But, on the other, they don’t actually want to see the sharks eat seals or swimmers.
It’s a balancing act. Influential players are the Chamber of Commerce and the save the sharks and seals (at the same time) naturalists.
I keep thinking the movie, “Jaws.”
Avoiding shark attacks is pretty simple - stay out of the water.
Have a shark buffet. No more sharks. No more tourists to get eaten. Problem solved.
Cape Cod shark report, report, report,
Cape Cod shark report, report, report,
Cape Cod shark report, report, report,
Cape Cod shark!
Back in he 1960s we would take small sharks called dog fish that got on (bit onto) our lines. We would take them by the tail and brain them against the side of the ol ChrisCraft. Then throw them back in and most of the time they would swim away. They are so primitive I will bet their brain (such that it is) healed back to normal within weeks.
Cloudy, foggy weather is common on Cape Cod...
What happens if they miss seeing a shark and someone gets hurt or killed?
Will there be lawsuits?
ImVho, as “your friendly neighborhood shark conservationist” a “PRETTY GOOD” solution (as opposed to looking for the “UNOBTAINIUM” PERFECT solution,) is:
1. CATCHING/TAGGING/RELEASING/TRACKING the man-eaters,
2. FENCING off the public swimming areas
AND
3. Allowing LICENSED/CAREFULLY MONITORED HUNTING of seals AND dangerous sharks.
(Inasmuch as “trophy” & “commercial” alligator/crocodile hunting is SUCCESSFULLY managed by PWD by several States, the same thing could be easily managed as well for seals/sharks.)
As for my lady & me, we would both buy another sealskin “ladies stroller” or a “men’s carcoat”, IF they were commonly available for sale in 2019-2020.
Yours, TMN78247
Wrapping Up a Successful Season
The research team was able to get out on the water two days in November and were successful in tagging white sharks on both days, bringing the total number of white sharks tagged by Greg Skomal of the MA DMF, working with AWSC, to 50 this year!
Sharks occupy a very important position in the food chain.....................The TOP....................