New underwater footage filmed by National Geographic's Brian Skerry shows a juvenile great white shark stealing a hooked fish off Cape Cod, illustrating a growing pattern of depredation. Although unique for its underwater perspective, the behavior has been documented before — notably at Guadalupe Island, where adult whites attacked large yellowfin tuna. Experts link more frequent shark-fish interactions around Cape Cod to a booming gray seal population that has drawn more white sharks into the area.
Underwater Footage Shows Great White Snatching Fishermen's Catch — A Growing Problem Off Cape Cod
Angler with partial tuna catch off Guadalupe Island.
Newly released underwater footage shows a juvenile great white shark seizing a hooked fish off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The clip, shot by National Geographic photographer and Explorer Brian Skerry in cooperation with local charter captains, captures a type of depredation — sharks stealing hooked game fish — that is increasingly common in the region.
While this video is notable for its below-the-surface perspective, the behavior itself is not new. Similar incidents have involved fully grown great whites in other fishing hotspots. Historically, Guadalupe Island off Mexico — now a protected biosphere reserve and a seasonal home to dozens of adult great whites — recorded frequent attacks on large tuna hauled by sport and commercial anglers.
Photographs from Guadalupe show yellowfin tuna brought aboard missing large portions of their bodies after shark attacks. San Diego's long-range fleets targeting yellowfin there reported sharks taking 200-pound fish from lines, and some dive operations used tuna as chum to attract sharks to cage-diving sites, likely reinforcing the association between hooked fish and an easy meal.
Off Cape Cod, a sharp rise in the gray seal population over recent decades has coincided with a larger white shark presence and increased depredation incidents. Capt. Hap Farrell told National Geographic:
"There have been more and more sharks hitting fish. What we come back with is just the head, and the sharks will come right up to the boat, within four or five feet, chasing what's left."
As shark encounters rise in popular fishing areas, anglers, guides and managers face challenges balancing recreational fishing, wildlife protection and human safety. The footage highlights both the dramatic nature of depredation and the need for continued awareness and responsible practices when fishing in waters frequented by great whites.
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