Full Breakdown
Great White Shark Filmed Feeding on Whale Carcass off Block Island
7/7/2026, 11:13:24 PM
First Recorded Underwater Footage
On June 25, 2026, an 8-foot great white shark was captured on video feeding on a dead humpback whale about five miles south-southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island. The footage, taken by Jon Dodd of the Atlantic Shark Institute, is believed to be the first underwater recording of a great white in the state.
Key Participants and Search Effort
The search was led by Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute, and Sarah Callan, manager of the animal-rescue program at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Over a 50-square-mile area, the team located the floating whale carcass and the shark within hours, then documented the feeding behavior.
Measurements and Observations
The humpback measured roughly 40 feet (one source cites 42 feet); the shark measured about 8 feet. The whale’s remains later washed ashore on Crescent Beach, bearing “dozens and dozens of bites” from multiple sharks.
Official Statements & Safety Guidance
The Atlantic Shark Institute said great white sightings in Rhode Island are rare and usually tied to a whale carcass, noting that the state has no recorded shark-related fatalities. The institute advised swimmers to avoid dawn and dusk, to swim in groups, and to forgo shiny jewelry.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the whale’s exact length—40 feet in one account, 42 feet in another. CBS reported at least one additional great white seen feeding on a whale carcass off Block Island in recent weeks, but it was unclear whether the same carcass attracted multiple sharks.
Why It Matters
The video gives scientists a rare visual record of a great white feeding on a whale carcass in Rhode Island waters, supporting research on shark ecology and carrion utilization. It also helps local authorities communicate that shark incidents in the state are historically low while reminding the public to follow beach safety recommendations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was a great opportunity for Sarah to take samples from the whale for research and as luck would have it, this great white was found feeding on it,” — Atlantic Shark Institute, Facebook post
- “White shark sightings are few and far between until a whale dies and then they seem to appear out of nowhere as this one did,” — Atlantic Shark Institute, Facebook post
- “There are dozens and dozens of bites all over that whale from sharks,” — Jon Dodd, Executive Director
What’s Next
The Atlantic Shark Institute will analyze tissue samples from the whale, continue monitoring shark activity around Block Island, and update public-safety advisories as new data become available.
