The arrival of warmer weather always makes us want to seek the coolness of the sea, but this year beachgoers on the East Coast of the United States are keeping one eye on the water and the other on the sand . Recent sightings of great white sharks near New York and New Jersey have made more than a few people think twice before taking a dip, especially after it was confirmed that several large specimens are prowling popular areas.
Although this may seem a bit distant to us in Europe, the reality is that the behavior of these sharks and the use of technology to track them are topics of interest to scientists worldwide. Seeing how organizations like OCEARCH monitor these giants helps us better understand marine ecosystems, even though the presence of "guests" like Quint or Nori on beaches as crowded as the Hamptons is still a hair-raising story.
Specimen identification: Quint and Nori on the radar
One of the stars of this season is a shark named Quint, a great white that reaches almost three meters in length and has been spotted prowling off the south coast of Long Island. These kinds of tracking incidents are not a matter of chance, but rather the result of the constant work of organizations that create interactive maps so we can see where these animals are in real time.
On the other hand, we can't forget Nori, another specimen measuring about 2,7 meters, which was spotted in the Hamptons in early May. What's interesting about this animal is its ability to move , since after its passage through New York it was detected much further north, even reaching Canadian waters, similar to the tracking of Contender in Canada , which demonstrates that these animals don't stay put in one place.
For those of us who like to follow these things from home, there are platforms like Sharktivity or the OCEARCH global map. These tools allow us to see the migratory movements of sharks with astonishing precision, something we are also beginning to see on the Spanish coast with projects tagging blue sharks and other sharks in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
The surprising behavior of the dusky shark
But the great white isn't stealing the show; researchers are amazed by the dusky shark. This species was recently filmed hunting seals near Nantucket , a behavior never before documented on video, leaving scientists astonished by its aggression and skill.
Scientist Megan Winton has stated that this discovery is a milestone for marine shark biology , although she acknowledges that knowing there is another species hunting near the beaches isn't exactly going to excite tourists. The dusky shark is more difficult to identify with the naked eye, but it is characterized by its rounded snout and movements that are quite reminiscent of those of a snake underwater.
Although this animal doesn't usually seek trouble with humans, the fact that it comes so close to the shore in search of food forces the authorities to increase coastal surveillance . Ultimately, the sea is its home and we are merely visitors, so understanding its hunting patterns is vital to avoid any unnecessary scares during the holidays.
Safety protocols and advice for swimmers
When a lifeguard spots a fin near the shore, they don't hesitate: the protocol is activated instantly with whistles and megaphones. On beaches in the United States, it's common to see the purple or red flag , which indicates that there is dangerous wildlife nearby and that no one should enter the water until experts give the go-ahead, usually an hour after the last sighting.
The New York City Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a series of recommendations that could be applied anywhere in the world. For example, they suggest avoiding the bathroom if we see big banks de peces or birds diving into the water, as this is usually a clear sign that predators are feeding just below the surface.
It's also crucial to avoid dawn and dusk, when many sharks are most active. Ideally, always swim in a group and don't stray too far from shore, keeping a safe distance from areas where seals tend to rest, as seals are the main prey of great white sharks.
Staying calm and informed is the best way to enjoy the sea responsibly. Satellite tracking technology and the work of lifeguards ensure that, despite the confirmed presence of these animals , beaches remain safe as long as the instructions of professionals are followed precisely and common sense is used before every stroke.
