New, rare video captures aggressive shark behavior on camera
A new and rare National Geographic video shows a great white shark aggressively catching fish straight from a fisherman's line, a behavior known as shark depredation.
The footage, captured exclusively by National Geographic explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, was shot in the waters off Cape Cod peninsula in Massachusetts.
"I've been exploring the oceans for 50 years, 30 years as a National Geographic photographer, and I'm seeing things in the ocean that I never saw before," Skerry told ABC News of his video.
Skerry said the video backs up what fishermen have told him is occurring in the water: predators appear to be associating fishing with easy meals.
"Recreational fishermen are noticing that juvenile great whites are actually sort of stealing fish off these fishing lines. They've been seeing an increased number of these, what they call depredations, where the sharks are now coming in and taking that fish off their line," Skerry said.
Shark depredation behavior is bringing sharks closer to shore and closer to humans as they search for food, according to Skerry.
"I think there was one of the captains that said he's aware of at least 50 depredations that he's seen or is aware of just this season alone," said Skerry.
Shark experts told ABC News previously that great white shark sightings have been on the rise with peak activity stretching into the fall. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy also attributes the increase of white sharks, especially in the Cape Cod area, to an increase of grey seals, a primary food source for sharks.
"This is a good thing in terms of the health of the ocean. Sharks keep the oceans healthy as any major predator does in any ecosystem," Skerry said. "But it also tells us about the fact that the ocean is changing."
National Geographic is a joint venture between The National Geographic Society and The Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ABC News.
