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ASSOCIATED PRESS
This undated photo provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a great white shark encountered off the coast of Massachusetts. A NOAA report released June 11, 2014 says great white abundance in the area has climbed since about 2000. The scientists report the sharkÕs growing numbers are due to conservation efforts and greater availability of prey. (AP Photo/NOAA, Greg Skomal)
BOSTON >> A conservation group reports this year’s first ocean sighting of a great white shark off Cape Cod.
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy says it spotted on Saturday a female great white shark 12 feet to 15 feet long.
Three conservancy board members approached the shark from a boat about one-quarter of a mile from Nauset Beach on the Orleans, Massachusetts, shoreline. The crew is studying the North Atlantic great white population and located the shark after their plane discovered it from above.
The year’s first official ocean sighting was two weeks earlier than last year’s.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration study recently reported that the great white population is surging off the Eastern U.S. and Canada after years of decline.
