First great white shark of the season confirmed off coast of Massachusetts
On Sunday, May 11, a witness noticed a pool of blood off Smith's Point in Madaket on the western end of Nantucket. The person then saw a seal swimming toward the beach with a shark following behind. J
John Chisholm, an adjunct scientist in the Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, examined photos of the seal's wounds and confirmed that the bite came from a white shark.
'This is the time of year when we like to remind people to be 'shark smart' as white sharks return to the inshore waters of New England, where they'll hunt seals and other prey through the summer and into the fall,' Chisholm said.
The New England Aquarium is urging the public to be aware of their surroundings and report shark sightings.
Chisholm recommends to be 'Shark Smart' which means being aware of sharks' presence in shallow waters, avoiding areas where seals are present or schools of fish are visible, and staying close to shore where emergency responders can reach you if needed.
Over 15 shark species reside in New England waters depending on the time of year.
The public can report sightings and stay informed on shark activity through the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Sharktivity app.
'Increased shark sightings can be a positive sign of a recovering marine ecosystem, but this recovery also means that people should take even more care while swimming or surfing,' said Dr. Nick Whitney, senior scientist and chair of the Anderson Cabot Center's Fisheries Science and Emerging Technologies program.
The Sharktivity app, which is available to download on iPhone and Android, tracks sightings fed by researchers, safety officials, and users who upload photos for confirmation.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Boston Globe
The other ‘Jaws effect': A wave of shark science and conservation
Write to us at . To subscribe, . TODAY'S STARTING POINT 'Jaws,' the iconic 1975 thriller about a giant great white shark that terrorizes a small New England island town, still gets a lot of praise. It made director Steven Spielberg's career, left behind a two-note theme synonymous with dread, and effectively invented the summer blockbuster. The novel that inspired it, by Peter Benchley, But 50 years on, the book and film have also been chum for critics. Shark-fishing tournaments Yet that definition of the Jaws effect is at best incomplete. The novel and the film also led to a surge of shark science and conservation efforts that have begun to protect the animals from both ignorance and overfishing. Advertisement Fear and fascination That a movie about a killer shark catalyzed legions of scientists to study the animals suggests a strange truth about human psychology: things that scare us can also become objects of deep allure. John Mandelman, a scientist at the New England Aquarium, is living proof. He had a 'Jaws'-themed cake at one early birthday and was 7 or 8 when he first saw the movie. 'I remember being scared by the scenes that were more grotesque,' he said. 'But I also remember being really mesmerized.' Advertisement Mandelman's obsession wasn't just the shark; it was that the shark had transfixed every other character in the film, whether out of scientific fascination or atavistic fear. 'That really sucked me in.' He eventually realized that interest could become his career. He's now the chief scientist of the aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life and calls 'Jaws' a 'gateway drug' for colleagues who also followed it into marine biology or ocean conservation. 'Sometimes people look at fear and fascination as distinct,' he said. 'I think in this case they're incredibly related.' The movie, which airs regularly and birthed a series of less-beloved sequels, has stayed current enough to inspire Mandelman's younger colleagues, too. So have more recent depictions of sharks in popular culture, like Netflix documentaries, viral videos, and Discovery's annual 'Shark Week,' Others have had similar experiences. 'After 'Jaws,' Peter received hundreds, really thousands of letters from people from around the world saying that they were terrified of the movie, but what it did was it really fascinated them,' said Wendy Benchley, Peter's widow (he died in 2006). 'Yeah, it scared people. But boy did it really keep sharks on people's minds, including scientists'.' True, both novel and film took liberties. Real-life sharks don't single-mindedly and repeatedly choose to attack people. Peter Benchley later expressed regret for casting his novel's antagonist as a rogue man-eater. (He doesn't deserve all the blame; highly publicized attacks in the early 20th century Advertisement Mandelman can overlook those inaccuracies because scientists now know much more about sharks than they did before 'Jaws.' Back then, the Navy From understanding to conservation For the public, however, knowing more about sharks didn't immediately mean trying to protect them. In 2000, Peter Benchley Both Benchleys had long cared about the ocean. Peter encountered sharks while fishing with his dad off Nantucket; Wendy spent summers in seaside Stonington, Conn. After 'Jaws,' they witnessed garbage-filled seas and shark overfishing firsthand. 'It jumpstarted our interest to really work hard on ocean conservation,' Wendy said. Half a century later, those efforts show signs of paying off. Federally protected since 1997, white shark populations Threats remain, including overfishing and climate change, which is warming New England's waters, straining the sharks' habitats, and drawing them closer to land ( Advertisement Still, Wendy is hopeful that 'Jaws' will continue to inspire efforts to restore shark populations and learn more about them. 'I know it makes it harder for people to swim,' she said. 'But it's definitely making a healthier ocean.' 🧩 3 Down: 97° POINTS OF INTEREST A Waymo vehicle on Merchants Row in Boston this month. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff 'Utterly terrifying': A Vermont school superintendent, who is a US citizen, said federal agents WBZ shrinks: The Boston TV station Self-driving cars: Boston City councilors want to Gotta sell 'em all: A New Bedford man faces charges after he allegedly tried to Greenlit: The Trump administration approved Paramount's merger with a Hollywood studio after Paramount, which owns CBS, settled Trump's lawsuit against '60 Minutes' and canceled Stephen Colbert's show, which often criticizes Trump. ( Sanctuary cities: The Trump administration sued New York over policies that restrict city officials from cooperating with federal immigration agents. ( Other Epstein news: Much of the country wants Trump to reveal more about Epstein; in Roswell, residents want him to Advertisement Hulk Hogan: The wrestling star, actor, and reality TV host who endorsed Trump last year died at 71. ( Israel-Hamas war: Israel and the US recalled their peace negotiators, accusing Hamas of being unwilling to reach a cease-fire. ( Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to protect government agencies that fight corruption, reversing himself after Ukrainians protested a bill he signed limiting the agencies' independence. ( VIEWPOINTS Failing the test: Massachusetts' fourth-grade reading scores could soon converge with Mississippi's. Why isn't that Disillusioned: Veronica J. White became a bar advocate believing that everyone deserves representation regardless of economic circumstances. Massachusetts Brave new world: AI is fracturing the student-teacher relationship. Using it lets students avoid learning and erodes teachers' trust that students aren't cheating, BESIDE THE POINT 🗓️ For your calendar: The Cambridge Jazz Festival, a Tennessee Williams prison drama that the playwright never got to see performed, and more 🥀 Green thumb: Climate change is altering the kinds of plants that can survive in gardens and yards. If you want yours to thrive, 🐍 Elusive: Conservationists feared that the world's smallest snake had gone extinct. They just proved themselves wrong. ( Advertisement 🥂 Dinner with Cupid: She's a medical student, he's in the Air Force. Will they find 🏠 Close to home: Thinking about downsizing? This company can help with the packing — 'Happy Gilmore': Adam Sandler's 1996 comedy ⛺ Beyond s'mores: Use these tips and recipes to Thanks for reading Starting Point. This newsletter was edited by ❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can 📬 Delivered Monday through Friday. Ian Prasad Philbrick can be reached at
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Associated Press
Bonding Health Introduces Emotional Regulation Score™ – The First Clinical-Grade Tool to Help ADHD Adults and Parents Measure and Build Emotional Mastery
New York, NY - July 22, 2025 - Bonding Health, a innovative digital health company serving individuals and families impacted by ADHD, today announced the launch of its Emotional Regulation Score™, a new clinically validated feature that allows users to measure, develop, and track their ability to regulate their emotions. The new feature will launch on Friday, July 25, as part of Version 4 of the Bonding Health app, on iOS and Android. The Emotional Regulation Score™ (ERS), was developed using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) which is a well-accepted gold standard in psychological science developed by Gross & John (2003). The ERS brings decades of research into an actionable, mobile-first app experience created exclusively for ADHD brains. 'Emotional regulation has generally been treated as an abstract skill,' said Pen King Jr., CEO of Bonding Health. 'Now with the Emotional Regulation Score™ we are changing the game. For the first time ever, ADHD adults and parents have a way to measure this critically important ability, develop the skill through structured supports, and follow their progress over time, as we do with trackers for physical health.' Addressing a Critical Need in ADHD Support Emotional regulation is one of the most substantial predictors of long-term well-being (just the mind, but the body and relationships). It has ramifications for mental clarity, physical wellness and the quality of relationships both personally and professionally. In order to make improvements in emotional regulation, it is essential to measure it, however there are few specific individuals are able to measure emotional regulation (specifically individuals with ADHD), and furthermore few practices to develop it. Bonding Health's Emotional Regulation Score™ provides a simple, data-driven mechanism to build self-awareness and emotional resilience. Key Features of the Emotional Regulation Score™ Expanding Support Through PKJ Coaching Bonding Health has teamed up with PKJ Coaching, a recognized leader in coaching programs focused on ADHD, to enhance user support. This partnership allows all users to not only learn from their Emotional Regulation Score™ but also receive personalized strategies and accountability to practice these skills in everyday life. Availability The Emotional Regulation Score™ will launch on Friday, July 25, 2025, with Version 4 of the Bonding Health app, available for both iOS and Android. Download now to be first in line: About Bonding Health Bonding Health is a digital health company that supports individuals and families affected by ADHD to achieve a higher degree of emotional balance and resilience. Importantly, Bonding Health offers clinician-designed tools, daily habit trackers, and collective resources such as PKJ Coaching that continue to provide evidence-based resources that allow individuals to thrive rather than focus on medication. Media Contact: Pen King Jr. CEO, Bonding Health [email protected] Media Contact Company Name: Bonding Health Contact Person: Pen King Jr. Email: Send Email State: New York Country: United States Website: Source: AIO Newswire
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Where Northern Lights Could Be Visible Tonight, Tomorrow
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Americans in multiple northern states may have a chance to see the northern lights this week. According to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the aurora borealis could be visible in as many as 14 states over Tuesday and Wednesday night. Why It Matters While NOAA's forecast may not guarantee a sighting, it offers a somewhat rare chance for residents of states ranging from Washington to Maine to witness the celestial phenomenon. What To Know According to the SWPC's viewline forecast, the aurora borealis may be visible over parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the SWPC forecasts the northern lights could be seen over parts of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and along New York's northern border with Canada. The SWPC explains that the northern lights occur when electrons collide with the upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere. These electrons get a boost of energy in an area of Earth's magnetic field on the night side of the planet. Once energized, they then traverse along the magnetic field toward the polar regions. When they hit gases like oxygen and nitrogen high in the sky, they transfer their energy to those gases, which "excites" them. As the gases calm back down, they release that energy as glowing light. During "large" events, the aurora may be visible as far south as parts of the United States, Europe, and Asia. In "very large" events, it can be seen even further away from the polar regions. In addition to clear skies, visibility can depend on factors such as low light pollution and the intensity of the aurora at any given time. Even in areas within the forecast's visibility band, cloud cover or city lights may prevent a sighting. These Space Weather Prediction Center maps show the potential viewlines for the northern lights on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. These Space Weather Prediction Center maps show the potential viewlines for the northern lights on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. SWPC What People Are Saying Space Weather Prediction Center operations chief Mike Bettwy previously told Newsweek: "General tips include viewing late at night, away from city lights, and taking pictures with your iPhone or other technology since the aurora may be visible on those devices even though the human eye may not always detect it." The Space Weather Prediction Center says: "The aurora is not visible during daylight hours. The aurora does not need to be directly overhead but can be observed from as much as 1000 km away when the aurora is bright and if conditions are right." What Happens Next The SWPC issues frequent forecast updates. Anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis should consult the latest outlook and head to dark, clear spots with a good view of the northern horizon.
