Where can we go see the sharks?’ Presence of ‘Jaws’ on Cape Cod isn’t exactly scaring tourists away

MassLive.com ^ | Sept. 11, 2019 | Michael Bonner

[Capt. Tom]

snip- “There’s been an absolute fascination with these creatures that has actually lured more people here than chased them away,” CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Wendy Northcross said. “People kind of have this huge curiosity. The most frequently asked questions here is, ‘Where can we go see the sharks?’” snip

The Chamber of Commerce hired independent consultants to examine if people who frequently traveled to Cape Cod were affected by the appearance of sharks. The consultants didn’t bring up sharks, however, every person in the focus groups initiated a conversation on the animals. “They were asked point blank, ‘Well would those sharks keep you from coming back to the Cape or taking your vacation,’” Northcross said. “To a person, in nine focus groups (the answer was) ‘No.’” snip

John-Paul Labarge grew up in Wellfleet. The 19-year-old remembered summers not so long ago where he spent the entire day in the water surfing. On this August afternoon he replaced his surfboard for a skimboard. “Not even when I was a little kid. Last summer, before the incidents, I would spend the whole day in the water if the waves were good not even thinking about it.” Labarge said. “We knew (sharks) were there but nothing’s ever happened since, what, 1920-something?” Then Medici was killed by a shark. “All my friends are lifeguards so after seeing that type of stuff, they’re traumatized,” Labarge said. “Even the most hardcore surfers I know, they’re like ‘No, I don’t go in the water in the summer. Only winter surfing.’”

[Capt. Tom]

A fellow Freeper from Cape Cod told me his opinion is the real test for tourism comes next year, because this season people had already made commitments. Also the increased rental tax will be a factor in next years bookings.

When it comes to the prospect of a monetary reward us Americans are very innovative, and I expect us to come up with a $olution. - Tom

[grobdriver]

Where can we go see the sharks?

See that buoy out there?

Swim to it.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Great white shark attack leaves tourists screaming in terror as water turns red

[Capt. Tom]

See that buoy out there? Swim to it.

I have noticed the lack of people swimming beyond waist deep water. -Tom

[Ken H]

Try Amity Island.

[Seruzawa]

Lol. I always thought that Jaws was BS as far as shark attacks scaring tourists away.

[Huskrrrr]

Go to any pier where fishermen are chumming the water.

[tomkat]

The Chamber of Commerce hired independent consultants to examine if people who frequently traveled to Cape Cod were affected by the appearance of sharks.

             

[greenishness]

Back in 1974, a few malfunctioning pneumatically powered prop sharks, water logged cameras, unwanted sailboats drifting into frame, seasick actors, a blown schedule, a really blown budget, and an up-and-coming director named Steven Spielberg made movie magic on Martha’s Vineyard with Jaws.

[Berlin_Freeper]

https://cdn10.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/cape-cod-shark-great-white-t.jpg

[DannyTN]

[Red Badger]

We have glass bottom boats here so the tourists can gape at the fish and dolphins, for $10-20 a pop.

Sounds like a business opportunity...........

[Red Badger]

There’s safety in numbers....................

[xp38]

Make sure you bring a big boat

[Red Badger]

Beyond ‘waist deep’ you may miss your waist..................

[Capt. Tom]

We have glass bottom boats here so the tourists can gape at the fish and dolphins, for $10-20 a pop. Sounds like a business opportunity...........

Already some charters on Cape Cod are doing white shark tours including using a spotter plane. It will increase, as it is almost a guaranteed sighting. - Tom

[rlmorel]

Hahahahahaha...even the Massachusetts Libs don’t want to be tasted...:)

Of course, being in waist deep water is no protection either!

[knarf]

The movie JAWS should never have been released.

It was the movie that opened my "fear factor" up and it ain't never closed since.

The opening scene of the camera approaching a swimming girl from underneath has a million messages to it not the least are a couple of Freudian ones.

[Conserv]

Well, it would scare me.

Ever since Jaws, sharks scare the living hell out of me.

I still go in the water, but I’m always thinking about sharks...

Great Whites, Tigers, and Bulls.

I don’t want to meet any of them.

[Capt. Tom]

Ever since Jaws, sharks scare the living hell out of me. I still go in the water, but I’m always thinking about sharks...

I know what you mean.

A month or so ago in a newspaper article I had included the following paragraph:
"Statistics are on our side where shark attacks are involved, but when people are frolicking around in the salt water they are not worried about getting hit in the head with a coconut, or being struck by lightning, or being killed in a car crash, they are worried about …….? Well, you get the picture".