Great White Shark Encounter Reported Off Cape Cod Woods Hole

On July 4th near Woods Hole, Cape Cod, two teenagers, Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin, had a close encounter with a great white shark while paddleboarding near Stony Beach. Cronin captured a photo showing an eight-inch grey dorsal fin close to her paddleboard, which led them to quickly paddle back to shore, breaking an oar in the process. The photos were sent to shark experts at the New England Aquarium and the Division of Marine Fisheries, who confirmed the presence of a great white shark, a rare sighting in that area. Marine biologist John Chisolm advised swimmers to stay calm and be vigilant about sharks in local waters during summer, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of shark appearances. Despite the scare, Bowles and Cronin remain undeterred and plan to continue enjoying the ocean while exercising caution. The duo even humorously named the shark "Steve" and expressed gratitude for their calm response and the safety of their paddleboards during the encounter.