7 Great White Sharks Spotted In Cape Cod Bay

WELLFLEET (CBS) -- Seven great white sharks were spotted in Cape Cod Bay Monday, Dr. Greg Skomal of the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries confirmed to WBZ-TV.

Skomal has tagged 150 white sharks off the Cape over the years, in part to monitor their return.

One shark spotted Monday was Ashley Grace, who was first tagged in August of 2016, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. Based on Sharktivity report, the 12-foot long shark was seen off the coast of Wellfleet.

A fisherman also spotted a 13-foot-long white shark off Monomoy Island.

"It's that time of year. We're bound to get reports of white sharks when we have calm days and the sun is high in the sky," said Chatham Harbormaster Stuart Smith.

"It doesn't surprise me, they are out there and that's their habitat," said one woman.

Another added, "They make me a little nervous but I just will swim cautiously."

A third said, "The sharks are back? What else is new? It's the summer isn't it?"

A Facebook page for Wellfleet Lifeguards said they will be flying a "purple shark flag during lifeguard hours. This is to signify to patrons that a shark risk exists at all times, because during the summer, sharks are always a possibility!"

If there is a confirmed sighting, the water is evacuated and a black flag is raised.

Last year, a 26-year-old Revere man was killed by a shark while swimming near Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet.