Researchers using baited remote underwater vehicles (BRUVs) near Block Island captured footage of a juvenile great white shark — possibly a young-of-the-year — marking the first such sighting recorded by the Atlantic Shark Institute. Jon Dodd described the encounter as a "needle in the haystack" discovery. The find highlights sharks' ecological importance and demonstrates the value of camera-based monitoring for conservation. The clip also drew amused and admiring reactions on the institute's Facebook page.
BRUV Films Rare Juvenile Great White Near Block Island — 'Needle in the Haystack' Discovery
Rare juvenile great white filmed off Block Island
A research effort in Rhode Island waters produced an unexpected first for the team: baited remote underwater vehicle (BRUV) footage showing a juvenile great white shark near Block Island.
According to The Providence Journal, the Atlantic Shark Institute has been surveying the area for years using BRUVs. The cameras have recorded many species, but a great white had never appeared on their monitors until now. While a BRUV was deployed near Block Island, a juvenile great white swam into view.
"This is likely the first time anyone has seen this shark and, based on its size, it is likely a juvenile and perhaps even a young-of-the-year (less than a year old) white shark," said Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute. He called the sighting a "needle in the haystack discovery."
Why this matters
Sharks play a critical role in ocean ecosystems as top predators and scavengers. They help regulate populations of grazers that can damage carbon-sequestering habitats such as kelp forests and seagrass beds. Sharks themselves store carbon in their bodies, and when they die their carcasses sink to the seafloor, providing an important nutrient pulse for deep-sea communities.
Great white sharks are resilient, having existed for roughly 450 million years and surviving multiple mass-extinction events. Still, sightings—especially of juveniles—are scarce and scientifically valuable because they help researchers understand distribution, nursery areas and population health.
Value of camera-based monitoring
The sighting underscores the growing importance of camera systems in conservation research. Whether underwater or on land, camera traps and BRUVs provide accurate, non-invasive data on animal behavior, abundance and habitat use. That information helps local communities and conservation organizations design more effective protection measures.
Public reaction
The Atlantic Shark Institute shared the clip on Facebook, where followers responded with a mix of amusement and admiration. One commenter riffed on the film Jaws: "I think you're going to need a bigger camera." Another wrote, "That weird moment when you find yourself thinking, 'Wow, what a handsome shark.'"
While a single sighting does not by itself change conservation status, it provides a valuable data point for researchers monitoring regional shark populations and highlights the need for continued monitoring of coastal habitats.
