Memorial Day visitors at Dead Eye Dicks, a popular waterfront restaurant on Block Island, were surprised by the sight of a massive 20-foot shark swimming through the calm waters of Great Salt Pond. The rare encounter occurred just feet away from a small boat and was captured on video by local resident Jen Seebeck.
The footage clearly shows the shark's large dorsal and tail fins breaking the surface, prompting onlookers to react with surprise and the iconic call, “There’s a shark in the pond!” reminiscent of the 1975 film Jaws, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The Atlantic Shark Institute confirmed the sighting but has yet to identify the shark’s species. They estimate the shark’s length at around 20 feet. Although sightings of sharks in shallow or enclosed waters occasionally occur, encountering such a large predator in the small, tourist-frequented Great Salt Pond is unusual and has captured public attention.
A small boat was seen cautiously navigating away from the shark, which swims through the pond connecting to the open ocean. According to the Atlantic Shark Institute, “Sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily as water temperatures continue to rise, attracting various shark species closer to shore.” They added, “We hope this shark will exit Great Salt Pond soon and continue its journey.”
Marine experts explain that this shark appearance aligns with seasonal migratory patterns. As water temperatures rise along the Northeastern coast during summer months, prey species move closer to shore, drawing sharks, including Great Whites, nearer to coastal areas. Earlier this month, a large Great White shark was also recorded by drone near Montauk, New York, just across the water.
“This behavior is consistent with the natural seasonal migration of sharks,” noted marine biologists. “Sharks follow their food sources closer to the shore during warmer months.”
