A 21-year-old man was bitten by a sandbar shark on Sunday, July 6, after catching and attempting to release the fish from the shore of Hoicks Hollow Beach, Nantucket. The incident has sparked renewed discussion among anglers, scientists, and regulators about the risks of shore-based shark fishing and the importance of responsible practices.
According to the Nantucket Current, the man sustained non-life-threatening leg injuries and was initially driven to Nantucket Cottage Hospital by a friend. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transported via Boston MedFlight to a mainland facility for further treatment.
The encounter, captured in a video posted to Instagram, shows the man handling the shark as part of a catch-and-release effort. Marine biologists from the New England Aquarium identified the shark as a sandbar shark, a species commonly found off Cape Cod and the Islands during the summer months.
Shore-Based Shark Fishing on the Rise, Along With Its Risks
Shore-based shark fishing has surged in popularity nationwide in recent years, with many anglers from Gulf beaches up to the North Atlantic getting in on the action. The Nantucket Current report anglers frequently target sandbar sharks during the summer along Nantucket beaches. However, the recent bite underscores the inherent danger of handling apex predators, even during regulated, catch-and-release fishing.
“Any time people fish for these sharks and do catch-and-release fishing, they’re assuming certain risks,” said Dr. Nick Whitney, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium told the Cape Cod Times in an interview.
Caroline Collatos, a PhD candidate at UMass Boston and shark researcher at the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center, echoed those sentiments. In an interview with Boston.com, she urged anglers to “keep safety for yourself and shark in mind.”
Understanding the Sandbar Shark
The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a resilient species, once heavily overfished in the 1980s and 1990s. Federal regulations enacted in 2008 now prohibit the retention of the species, requiring all catches to be released.
Collatos employed a tag-and-release study with the aid of shore-based shark anglers to gather data on 67 sandbar sharks caught from shore between 2019 and 2021. The study revealed that, when handled properly, the majority survived post-release. However, she emphasized the need for preparation when speaking with Boston.com. “If you go shark fishing, have a plan,” she said, stressing the importance of proper gear and adherence to regulations.
Tightening Regulations in Massachusetts
In response to increased fishing activity and several concerning incidents — such as anglers allegedly targeting great white sharks from shore — the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) implemented new regulations earlier this year.
The updated rules prohibit:
- Chumming during daytime hours
- Use of mechanized bait-deployment devices (such as drones)
- Certain types of heavy gear (though this rule does not currently apply to Nantucket)
“While DMF regulations already prohibit attracting and targeting great white sharks, it has become evident in recent years that these rules are difficult to enforce,” DMF fisheries management analyst Jared Silva wrote in a press release.
The regulatory push aims to curb public safety risks and ensure responsible fishing practices amid growing interest in land-based shark fishing.
Final Thoughts: Proceed with Caution
As more anglers seek the thrill of catching large sharks from shore, experts continue to emphasize the need for caution, preparedness, and compliance.
“Sharks have bigger teeth that are strong,” Collatos noted. “They are apex predators.”
Whether you’re a seasoned shark angler or trying it for the first time, both researchers and officials urge you to plan ahead, know the regulations, and prioritize safety — for both yourself and the shark.
