Shark closes in — now just 21 miles offshore

The great white shark Mary Lee has edged a little closer to the island since her last track signal yesterday.

She is now just 21 miles north east of Bermuda, compared to 35 yesterday.

The 16-foot fish was tracked via satellite signal at 1:47am this morning and the information has just been released.

The shark’s tag transmits a satellite signal every time it breaks the water’s surface.

Mary Lee was tagged as part of the Ocearch Project last September off Cape Cod in the US.

To follow Mary Lee’s progress visit: sharks-ocearch.verite.com/ 

Researchers would love a dip with Mary Lee

Local shark researchers Choy Aming and Neil Burnie said they would love to swim with the great white currently in Bermuda’s waters but believe it is highly unlikely they will get the chance.

The 16-foot great white named Mary Lee was last tracked via satellite just 35 miles north of Bermuda at 2:29pm yesterday. But despite her close proximity, Mr Aming said it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Both Mr Aming and Mr Burnie, who head up the Bermuda Shark Project, often swim with tiger sharks in Bermuda as part of their research. While great whites have been spotted in our waters before, neither has ever had the opportunity to swim with them here.

Speaking to the Bermuda Sun Mr Burnie said: “If we found it I would love to get in the water but by the time you get the track back from the sats (satellite signal) it is too late.”

Mr Aming, who has seen great white sharks in Guadalupe and South Africa, said: “I have found from my experience in the water they seem pretty different from what I am used to. Tiger sharks seem a lot mellower on the whole, you can handle them.

“A great white is three times the fish. Just the power when they get going — I think you are definitely going to be on the losing end of that battle. But if we did see her I would definitely be keen to get in the water.”

As part of their research Mr Aming and Mr Burnie are used to reading the behaviour of tiger sharks before deciding whether to swim with them.

Mr Aming explained: “You really have to look at their speed — if they are just cruising in one direction and making slow turns and really just going about their business it’s generally okay, but if they start darting and making sharp turns, you can almost see a snap to their movements, you have to be more careful. It’s almost like us walking versus running — you can see when someone is in a mellow mood just by their body language.”

Mary Lee was tagged as part of the Ocearch Project last September off Cape Cod in the US. She was first tracked in Bermuda on Tuesday swimming just over 100 miles north.