BOSTON — The garbage-eating sharks that will devour almost anything are back.
The first tiger shark sighting of the season happened off Mashpee’s Popponesset last week, as an estimated 10-foot apex predator was spotted feeding on a leatherback turtle.
The tiger shark was seen about three miles off the Popponesset Bay entrance — which is the same spot where a fisherman caught and released a tiger shark this time last year.
The warm-water sharks have been making their way north in recent years.
“As water temperatures continue to rise we’re likely to see more warm water species showing up,” shark researcher John Chisholm posted. “If you have a sighting, please remember to report it so we can document these species.”
Brad Crosby reported the tiger shark sighting, noting that it looked like the turtle was struck by a boat as its shell was cracked.
“Been dead for some time as it was pretty stinky!” Crosby added.
Researchers in recent years have predicted that tiger sharks would be popping up near the Cape due to warming waters.
While waters off the Northeast have historically been too cold for tiger sharks, temps have warmed significantly in recent years and are now suitable for tiger sharks.
Shark scientists have warned that tiger sharks moving north could lead to more interactions between sharks and humans.
“The tiger shark is a formidable predator and second only to the white shark in terms of the number of reported attacks on humans,” the Florida Museum of Natural History wrote on its website. “Tiger sharks are often curious and unaggressive when encountered, yet are one of the three species most commonly implicated in shark attacks and fatalities and should be treated with extreme caution and a great deal of respect.”
Tiger sharks are known to eat most marine animals, sea birds, the occasional terrestrial animal and even garbage encountered floating at sea.
“Despite being a large slow-moving shark, it is a highly effective ambush predator that deploys short bursts of speed to secure its prey,” the Florida Museum of Natural History added.
Meanwhile last week off the Cape, multiple shark alerts were issued for great white sharks close to shore. That included sharks seen off Chatham’s North Beach Island, Eastham’s Coast Guard Beach, and Wellfleet’s Newcomb Hollow Beach.
“There are multiple White Shark sightings already this morning,” Chisholm posted last Thursday. “The team is on the Water actively looking for sharks so it’s shaping up to be a busy day. Be sure to download the #Sharktivity app if you haven’t already so you can stay up-to-date on sightings and alerts.”
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app helps raise awareness of the presence of white sharks off the coast. The app sightings are fed by researchers, safety officials, and users who upload photos for confirmation.