Cape Cod Ocean Community
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  • Home
  • Background
  • About us
  • Donate
  • Information
  • Youtube channel Events recorded
  • Report a Sighting or Encounter
  • CCOC on TV
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Gallery
  • Visit Our Shop
  • Our Partners
    • Contact us
Picture

Mission & News

Research

Cape Cod has a shark problem. Through research completed by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and OCEARCH, we know much more about white sharks than ever before. Around Cape Cod, the white shark population is increasing significantly every year. It spikes during the summer months, coinciding with the peak months for recreation and tourism. In search of food such as seals, white sharks in Cape Cod spend much of their time in less than 15 feet of water, frequenting beaches, bays, and harbors throughout the Cape, Islands, and nearby Massachusetts coastlines. Cape Cod is a global white shark hotspot---a conservation success story with unintended consequences. 

PUBLIC SAFETY

​White sharks occasionally mistake humans for seals. The past two summers, the white shark presence on the outer beaches of Cape Cod was undeniable. Over a thirteen-month period in 2018, those beaches recorded three attacks, several encounters, and hundreds of sightings. One of the attacks resulted in serious injury and another resulted in the death of 26-year-old ocean-enthusiast Arthur Medici. According to the researchers and experts, this is only the beginning. Unless something changes, shark attacks will continue to grow in number, and spending time in the ocean will continue to become more dangerous.

Economic Impact

​We know from experience around the world that an increasing frequency of shark interactions has a severe negative impact on local economies. Shark fears, sightings, and encounters result in people choosing to spend their time and money elsewhere. We may already be seeing this on Cape Cod. Per a recent report from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, the number of Cape Cod National Seashore annual visitors dropped by 750,000 from 2016 to 2018. It stayed flat in 2019, all while the U.S. economy was growing steadily. Even if the average visitor spends only $100 per visit, the economic impact of this drop is $75 million per year. 

​Our Response

​Cape Cod is a community dependent upon recreating and working in and around the ocean. We believe we can and must do more now, before it is too late. We hope to work with local, state, and federal government agencies to accelerate the process of testing surveillance and detection technology on Cape Cod.
July 2021 Newsletter
June 2021 Newsletter
Cape Cod Ocean Community (CCOC) does not assume any responsibility for the safety of any person or persons relying on any alternative, method, or technology for shark surveillance, deterrence, or detection in or around the ocean. Sharks can be dangerous and unpredictable. Recreating in the ocean is always at your own personal risk.
sharkwatch@capecodoceancommunity.org
PO Box 297 South Wellfleet, Mass 02663

The professional photos on this website were donated by Eddie Devereaux.

​© Cape Cod Ocean Community. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Background
  • About us
  • Donate
  • Information
  • Youtube channel Events recorded
  • Report a Sighting or Encounter
  • CCOC on TV
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Gallery
  • Visit Our Shop
  • Our Partners
    • Contact us