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Great White Sighting Signals Return Of Sharks To Cape

CHATHAM (CBS) -- Sharks have officially returned to the Cape.

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Great White spotted off Chatham. (Credit: George Breen)

A 15-foot Great White was spotted off Chatham on Sunday.

Shark hunters followed it for a mile off the shore as it stalked seals. The hunters say this is the first shark sighting this year, although a tagged shark was picked up by an acoustic receiver in that area last month.

On Monday evening, troopers in the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing also spotted a shark while flying over Chatham. The troopers estimated the shark to be 14 feet long, and it was approximately 200 yards offshore.

The Atlantic White Shark conservancy says they hope to be back in the water this week to tag the Great Whites.

Last month, a team of shark researchers spent a week on Cape Cod preparing for a shark tagging trip this summer.

Expedition leader Chris Fischer, who heads up the OCEARCH, says data from the tags shows a possible explanation for the many Cape shark sightings in recent years.

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This shark was spotted off Chatham Sunday. (Credit: George Breen)

He thinks Cape Cod is a breeding ground.

Two great white sharks were seen off the coast of Chatham last September.

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