Fear on Cape Cod as Sharks Hunt Again

The apex predator is back.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story October 22, 2021 Photograph by Tyler Hicks Over the past decade, the waters around Cape Cod have become host to one of the densest seasonal concentrations of adult white sharks in the world. To conservationists, the annual returns are a success story, a welcome sign of ecosystem recovery at a time when many wildlife species are depleted. But the phenomenon carries unusual public-safety implications. The sharks' summer residency in New England overlaps with tourist season at one of the Northeast's most coveted recreational areas. Moreover, the animals are hunting in remarkably shallow water, at times within feet of the beach. This puts large numbers of people in close contact with a fast and efficient megapredator, historically the oceans' most feared fish. Not long ago, "the greatest threat on the Cape was ticks," said Lisa Sette, a biologist with the Center for Coastal Studies, in Provincetown. "Now we have to rethink how we enter the water, as we have an apex predator that has returned." In our cover story this week, C.J. Chivers reports on the efforts to keep people safe in the water, now that sharks are back along New England's beaches. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Tyler Hicks/The New York Times Fear on Cape Cod as Sharks Hunt Again The apex predator is back along New England's beaches. What will it take to keep people safe? By C. J. Chivers Subscribe Today We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer. MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE Photo illustration by Javier Jaén How the American Right Fell in Love With Hungary Some U.S. conservatives are taking a cue from Prime Minister Viktor Orban — how to use the power of the state to win the culture wars. By Elisabeth Zerofsky Carly Zavala for The New York Times The Secret Toll of Racial Ambiguity Rebecca Hall's new film adaptation of the 1929 novel "Passing" has cracked open a public conversation about colorism and privilege. By Alexandra Kleeman Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT A Times event: As world leaders gather in Glasgow for consequential climate change negotiations, join us at The New York Times Climate Hub to uncover answers to one of the most urgent questions of our time: How do we adapt and thrive on a changing planet? Glasgow, Scotland, November 3–11; in person and online. Get tickets at nytclimatehub.com. Stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter (@NYTmag) or check us out on Instagram. Appreciated this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. Download Audm for iPhone or Android. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018