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Great white shark sightings: Where have sharks been spotted this summer?

Beach goers on the East Coast have had to cut down on their sunbathing time, as multiple shark sightings have forced some temporary beach closures.

Beach goers on the East Coast have had to cut down on their sunbathing time, as multiple shark sightings have forced some temporary beach closures.
JOSEPH PREZIOSOAFP

There have been a number of shark sightings off the East Coast, prompting some beaches to close temporarily. Cape Cod in Massachusetts has reported the biggest number, by way of the app Sharktivity that was developed by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

The app lets people know through social media when sharks are spotted as well as where they were seen. Users can also report if they themselves have seen any of the creatures, uploading photos for confirmation.

There were more than 20 sightings of great whites reported by the app in only two days. Some of the sharks have been given names like Snoop Dog and Mr. Spot Claw.

Sightings in New York and New Jersey

Sharks have also been spotted on the shores of New York and New Jersey. A 12-foot animal was seen near Jersey Shore, while thresher sharks appeared near a beach In Long Island, New York. A great white shark washed up dead on the shores of Quogue in New York.

There have also been incidents of people getting bitten by sharks near Jones Beach, Smith County Beach, Seaview Beach, and Orlando. Some of those bitten were surfing or paddle boarding. So far, none of the injuries have been life-threatening.

Low risk of shark bites

Despite the recent rash of shark-related incidents, the risk of getting bitten by one is extremely low. According to the Florida Museum, there were a total of 137 reported shark-human interactions last year, with unprovoked bites making up 53% of the total. Provoked bites, which take place when a human initiates the interaction with the creature, comprise almost 30% of this number.

The chances of shark-related deaths are one in over 4.3 million, while the odds of dying from heart disease are one in five, according to data acquired by the Museum.