BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. — A sandbar shark swimming beneath the waters off Block Island has provided a striking glimpse of a species that appears to be making a comeback across southern New England.
Recent underwater footage captured by the Atlantic Shark Institute’s baited remote underwater video system shows a sandbar shark moving through the waters near the Rhode Island island.
The sighting comes as fishermen across southern New England and Long Island’s South Shore report an unusual increase in sandbar sharks this summer.
The predators, which are also commonly known as brown sharks, have become a growing nuisance for anglers. According to the Atlantic Shark Institute, fishermen are repeatedly finding that the sharks reach their catches before they can get them safely to the boat.
Why Sandbar Sharks Are Showing Up More Often
Sandbar sharks are not new to the region, but their increased presence has attracted attention from fishermen and researchers.
NOAA Fisheries says sandbar sharks typically prefer sandy or muddy habitats in temperate and tropical waters around the world. In the United States, they are most commonly found in waters stretching from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Florida.
That habitat preference helps explain why the species can be encountered around coastal areas where anglers regularly fish.
The Atlantic Shark Institute said the sharks appear to be particularly successful at locating fishing boats this season.
Researchers also point to an unusual characteristic of the species: sandbar sharks may be capable of learning from previous interactions with fishermen.
“They are one of two shark species that evidence suggests can learn from previous interactions with anglers and many have found that to be true this season,” the institute said.
Sharks May Be Learning Where the Food Is
That apparent ability to learn could be contributing to the increase in shark encounters around fishing boats.
If sandbar sharks associate boats with an easy source of food, they may become increasingly likely to approach vessels where fishing activity is taking place.
For fishermen, that can mean losing a catch just before it reaches the boat.
The behavior has become one of the more noticeable aspects of this summer’s sandbar shark activity, with anglers watching predators take advantage of their fishing efforts.
However, the increased encounters are also being viewed as a possible sign that conservation efforts have produced meaningful results.
Sandbar Shark Population Shows Signs of Recovery
Sandbar sharks have faced significant pressure in the past.
The species has been protected in the United States since 2009 after populations declined substantially because of overfishing.
Those protections appear to have helped the species recover.
A 2024 study by the New England Aquarium found that strong regulations appear to have achieved their intended purpose, with increasing evidence that sandbar shark numbers have rebounded.
The recovery is significant because sandbar sharks are slow-growing animals, meaning rebuilding their population can take considerable time.
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The recent sightings around Rhode Island and other parts of southern New England are therefore attracting attention not simply because sharks are being seen more frequently, but because they may reflect a broader population trend.
Scientists Await New Population Assessment
Despite the encouraging signs, researchers are still waiting for updated data to determine exactly how much the sandbar shark population has recovered.
The Atlantic Shark Institute said the species is currently being reassessed, with final results expected in early 2027.
Those findings should provide a clearer picture of the current health and size of the sandbar shark population in U.S. waters.
Until then, researchers and fishermen will continue watching the species’ activity along the New England coast.
For anglers, however, the recovery is already noticeable. The same sharks that conservation measures were designed to protect are now becoming increasingly difficult for fishermen to keep away from their catches.
Have you spotted a sandbar shark while fishing or swimming along the New England coast? Share your experience in the comments.