Shark Season Begins: Increased Sightings Ahead of Memorial Day Raise Beachgoer Concerns

As millions of Americans prepare to flock to beaches for Memorial Day, growing concerns about shark activity are casting a shadow over summer plans. NBC’s Priscilla Thompson reports on recent shark sightings from coast to coast.

This holiday weekend, seen as the unofficial start of summer, also marks the return of shark season. Warmer waters are bringing both swimmers and sharks back to shorelines. In San Diego, a nearly eight-foot shark bumped a person at Torrey Pines State Beach before swimming away, a rare but alarming encounter. "It's very rare in Southern California. We have a lot of people in the water, a lot of surfers, a lot of swimmers, and we have a lot of sharks," experts warn.

The same warm waters enticing beachgoers are also attracting juvenile sharks using the beaches as nursery habitats, and adults feeding on seals along the New England coast. Drone footage recently captured a great white shark swimming off Montauk, Long Island, while biologists spotted another off Tarpon Springs, Florida. The first white shark of the season was already seen off Nantucket earlier this month.

“I’m so happy that the sharks are on their way back up to Massachusetts. I hope I see one this year,” one beachgoer shared, reflecting the mixed fascination and fear many feel about these apex predators.

This year’s shark season coincides with the upcoming 50th anniversary of Jaws, the classic film set on the fictional “Amity Island.” Fans can celebrate with themed snacks at Universal Studios, like a bucket of bait from Captain Quint's boat. For those who prefer a safe shark experience, St. Louis’s aquarium is hosting the Summer of the Shark exhibit, featuring 10 shark species admired safely from dry land.

As Memorial Day approaches, beachgoers are urged to stay alert, follow local advisories, and be aware of their surroundings while enjoying the start of summer.

Credit: NBC
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