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First Juvenile Great White Shark Spotted Near Block Island

10/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Atlantic Shark Institute recorded a juvenile great white near Block Island, Rhode Island, using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVs).
This marks the area’s first great white sighting, according to the institute to date.
Executive Director Jon Dodd called the discovery a 'needle in the haystack'.
BRUVs have operated for four years; the shark may not reproduce until 2060.

History

Historical Context

The 1975 film "Jaws" intensified public fear of sharks, particularly great whites, following the 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks that killed four. In 2015, the Atlantic Shark Institute began monitoring shark populations using advanced technology, collecting over 1,000 hours of footage. Recent sightings near Block Island indicate a shifting marine ecosystem, prompting renewed conservation efforts and changing perceptions of these apex predators.

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Story summary

The Atlantic Shark Institute recorded a juvenile great white near Block Island, Rhode Island, using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVs).
This marks the area’s first great white sighting, according to the institute to date.
Executive Director Jon Dodd called the discovery a 'needle in the haystack'.
BRUVs have operated for four years; the shark may not reproduce until 2060.

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