- A 20-foot basking shark was spotted swimming in Great Salt Pond near Block Island, Rhode Island.
- The gentle giant likely entered the pond by accident and has probably left the area.
- Warmer waters will bring more shark sightings around Block Island this season.
On Monday, May 26, a huge shark swam inside Great Salt Pond near Block Island in Rhode Island. Diners at Dead Eye Dick restaurant saw the massive creature while eating. Jen Seebeck recorded the shark on video. It looked about 20 feet long and moved slowly near a speedboat. People nearby shouted in surprise, “There’s a shark in the pond!” The sight shocked everyone by the water.
Atlantic Shark Institute Confirms the Shark Is a Basking Shark
Jon Dodd, the executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute, identified the shark in the video as a basking shark. Basking sharks rank as the second-largest fish species after whale sharks. They have large, rounded dorsal fins, unlike great white sharks that have pointed fins. This difference helps experts spot the species correctly. Basking sharks feed on plankton and swim slowly with their mouths open to filter tiny sea creatures from the water.
Basking Sharks Pose No Threat but Can Surprise Swimmers
Even though basking sharks grow very large, they only eat plankton. They pose no threat to humans. Still, swimmers might feel alarmed if one swims close by because of its size. These sharks often appear near southern New England in late spring. Many people confuse them with great white sharks, but their behavior and fins differ. Basking sharks swim calmly, while great whites move more aggressively.
Warmer Waters Bring More Sharks to Rhode Island Shores
As the water temperature rises, more sharks find Rhode Island waters attractive. Jon Dodd warns residents and visitors that shark sightings will likely increase this season. The shark spotted in Great Salt Pond is the first this year, but it probably won’t be the last. Sharks tend to swim closer to shore in warmer months to find food and new habitats. This trend makes encounters more common near Block Island.
Shark Probably Swam Into Pond by Mistake and Has Left Now
Experts believe the basking shark entered the pond by accident. It probably wandered into the calm, enclosed waters of Great Salt Pond without meaning to. After the sighting, the shark likely left and returned to open waters. The Atlantic Shark Institute hopes the shark will move safely out of the pond and continue its journey along the coast. Fortunately, basking sharks rarely stay long in confined spaces.
Shark Sighting Reminds People of Classic Movie ‘Jaws’
The Atlantic Shark Institute shared the video on social media and made a fun comment. They said the shark sighting looked like a scene from the movie “Jaws.” This year marked the 50th anniversary of the famous film about a great white shark. The slow-moving basking shark in the video sparked memories of that scary movie, even though it is a gentle giant.
Rhode Island Residents Should Expect More Sharks This Season
Sharks appear in Rhode Island every day as spring turns to summer. Warmer seas attract many shark species looking for food or new homes. The Atlantic Shark Institute expects this trend to continue. People who live near or visit Block Island should be ready to see sharks more often in the coming weeks and months. While basking sharks are harmless, others might be nearby, so always stay alert.
