Shark Expert Hopes New Technology Can Alert Cape Cod Officials In Real Time
CHATHAM (CBS) - When the first great white sharks showed up in Cape Cod waters a few weeks ago, it was no surprise.
"Based on what we're seeing and what's been reported to us, we seem to be right on pace, right on schedule with what we've seen in previous years," said Dr. Greg Skomal, the state's leading shark expert.
Dr. Skomal and his team from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy have tagged 210 great white sharks in the past few summers. And a detection system allows them to collect data on the sharks.
Signs have been posted at most Cape Cod beaches, warning visitors about the presence of sharks. National Seashore officials believe people are taking precautions.
"People are really staying close to shore. And that makes me very happy to hear that," said Deputy Leslie Reynolds of the National Park Service. "Our outreach is working and human behavior is changing."
Shark identification technology is also changing. A new system helps researchers to see immediately when sharks show up.
"We've got six real-time receivers, live receivers, we're putting out this year. Our first one went out (Tuesday). We're still configuring it. It's still experimental," Skomal told WBZ-TV. "We need another year of testing."
The system will only detect sharks that have already been tagged.
