Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

MA_Sharks

@ma-sharks.bsky.social

1.7K followers 65 following 160 posts

Massachusetts Shark Researcher • Adjunct Scientist NEAQ • Follow for info about sharks or shahks as I call ‘em • Don’t let school stand in the way of an education • Feros Ferio • 🦈

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Nov 17

Add another shark biologist to the Bluesky ranks! Joining to share what I know and learn what I don’t. 🦈

Here’s more about me for those that are interested: www.neaq.org/person/john-...

Collage of my experiences with tagging, tracking and studying the ecology and biology of sharks off Massachusetts

1 6 34

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · 9d

On this day 21 yrs ago, our efforts to free the Naushon white shark continue. The shark moved north of the Nonamessett Rd bridge giving us hope she’d exit thru Hadley’s Harbor. This is one of my favorite photos because it sums up the whole situation in one frame.

1 5

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · 12d

‼️SHARK ALERT‼️
🦈🦈🦈
Its shaping up to be another busy day so now would be a good time to download the #Sharktivity app.

I know I sound like a broken record but it is peak white shark season so please be #sharksmart and review shark safety guidelines before entering the water.

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · 12d

Busy day with plenty of white sharks but if you have the @sharktivity app you already know that. If you don’t have the app then what are you waiting for, download it today!

This is peak white shark season so be #sharksmart & continue to follow shark safety guidelines if you’re entering the water. 🦈

3 18

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · 23d

Today marks the 7th anniversary of Arthur Medici’s death after he was bitten by a white shark off Newcomb Hollow beach in Wellfleet. Please take a moment to remember him and his family today. Also keep in mind this is peak white shark season. Be #SharkSmart and stay vigilant. 🦈

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Aug 28

New 🦈 Paper!

Dusky sharks actively prey on gray seals.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...
(🎥=David Schumacher)

1 6

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Aug 10

White sharks have historically always been found off Maine. 65 years ago, on August 10, 1960, Harry Goodridge harpooned a 12' white shark off Rockport that had just eaten his pet harbor seal Basil. After towing it to shore, he found Basil in 3 pieces inside the shark. 🦈

1 6

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Aug 4

‼️SHARK ALERT‼️

Have you downloaded the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy #Sharktivity app yet? Don’t procrastinate, get it today to stay informed about alerts and sightings. 🦈

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 25

🦈

www.capenews.net/bourne/news/...

Hammerhead Sightings Increase In Upper Cape Waters; Fisherman Hooks Tiger Shark

Within the past couple of weeks, adjunct scientist of New England Aquarium John Chisholm has received multiple reports of smooth hammerhead shark sightings in the waters of Buzzards Bay. A

www.capenews.net

1 4

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 23

🦈

13-foot, 9-inch shark seen off Nantucket isn't even close to biggest great white recorded

www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/e...

13-foot, 9-inch shark seen off Nantucket isn't even close to biggest great white recorded

Contender is pretty big for a male, sure. But in great white shark size contests, it's the females who take the cake.

www.capecodtimes.com

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 23

🦈
Biologists document rise in hammerhead sightings www.mvtimes.com/2025/07/22/b...

Biologists document rise in hammerhead sightings - The Martha's Vineyard Times

In what is believed to be driven by climate change and increasing water temperatures, marine biologists are reporting a steady increase in the presence of smooth hammerhead sharks in Vineyard and New ...

www.mvtimes.com

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 18

A friendly reminder, not all ‘fins’ are what they appear to be. The head of a gray seal resting on the surface can resemble the profile of a dorsal fin. This has resulted in a growing number of mistaken identity reports.🦭🦈

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 14

#SharkAwarenessDay 🦈 fact: there are other sharks off MA besides white sharks. These 3 species are often encountered by fishermen and called ‘sand sharks.’ It’s important to know the difference because, unlike the spiny & smooth dogfish, sand tigers are prohibited.

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 14

White Shark photographed off Maine 🦈
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...

Rare image of great white shark captured off the coast of Maine

National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry has logged more than 10,000 hours under water—but he's never before snapped a photo of a great white in Maine before.

www.nationalgeographic.com

1 5

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 8

Shark party at Target this evening!
#SharksNearMe 🦈🎯

1 3

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 8

🦈
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/08/m...

‘That is a shark. We need to leave.’ Close encounter with great white stuns paddleboarders off Woods Hole. - The Boston Globe

Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin were paddleboarding off Stony Beach when they encountered a great white shark in the water.

www.bostonglobe.com

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 7

Fisherman on ACK being bitten by a Sandbar shark he was releasing.

It’s important to remember, fisherman catch & release these sharks every day without incident, and this case is just a freak accident due to fisherman getting himself in a compromising position. 🦈
www.instagram.com/reel/DL0Hibz...

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jul 1

Happy Canada Day to all my friends and family in the #GreatWhiteNorth! 🦈Last year international traveler ‘LeeBeth’ was touring the Maritimes on this day. We’ve already had multiple white shark reports in the region this year. You can view as well as report sightings on the #Sharktivity app.

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 29

🦈
www.bostonherald.com/2025/06/26/s...

Sharks chomping on seals off Massachusetts, feasting on dead whale off Long Island

Sharks chomping on seals off Massachusetts, feasting on dead whale off Long Island: ‘Right in time for the 50th anniversary of Jaws’

www.bostonherald.com

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 24

Actually that’s not true. It’s the biggest male that group has tagged but it’s far from the biggest white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic nor is it the largest male.

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 24

With hot weather forecast for this week lots of you will be headed to the beach so here’s a reminder that white sharks are here. Be #SharkSmart and review shark safety recommendations before you hit the waves (www.nps.gov/caco/planyou...).

Please spread the word!
🦈

3 5 24

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 15

I knew this card was going to get me in the feels as soon as I opened the envelope. 🥹

#HappyFathersDay!

#sharksnearme 🦈

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 15

Here’s white shark ‘Padre’ wishing all the Dads out there #HappyFathersDay! 🦈

1 9

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 8

Happy #WorldOceansDay! It always amazes me when I meet someone that hasn’t seen the Ocean but many people around the world are landlocked. Although they may never see it they are still impacted by it everyday. So here’s a limerick I came up with to remind everyone a healthy 🌊 = healthy 🌎

1 2

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 6

On the anniversary of #DDay remember the bravery & heroism of the troops who sacrificed so much to change the course of history. They were soldiers but they were also people just like us, including a guy who liked sharks. We’re honored to name a white shark ‘Web’ after David Kenyon Webster. 🦈

MA_Sharks @ma-sharks.bsky.social · Jun 5

No white sharks spotted today but plenty of shark food. Seals were spread out all along the coast with the biggest haulouts off Monomoy. Also had several basking sharks including this big one off Peaked Hill.🦭🦈

2 8