Great White Shark Pings Off Maryland, Virginia Coasts
ASSATEAGUE, Va. (WJZ) -- Just weeks before the start of beach season, the Eastern Shore is on shark watch. A great white shark scientists have been tracking for years appears to be right off the coast of Maryland.
Experts say it's possible it could get even closer to shore.
Rick Ritter with more on what you need to know.
The 3,000 pound shark was pinged near the Maryland-Virginia line Tuesday morning. With summer just around the corner, experts are keeping a close eye on this great white.
Surging through the waters of the Eastern Shore, at 3,500 pounds and 16 feet long, a great white has beachgoers on edge.
"The size of this guy kind of surprised me," said one beachgoer.
Experts are intrigued.
"People are definitely excited. Scientists are particularly excited," said Jack Cover, National Aquarium in Baltimore.
The massive shark is known as "Mary Lee," whose every move is being tracked by OCEARCH.
She was tagged back in 2012 on her dorsal fin, so that when she comes out of hte water, a ping is sent to a satellite, showing her location.
On Tuesday, she popped up 20 miles off the Maryland cost.
"It's a more rare species of the shark, but it does occur off our shores. It's migratory," said Cover.
She's not the first shark to make news in recent years. Last June in Delaware, a teen was attacked by a shark.
"Off the coast of Maryland, we almost never see any bites from sharks," Cover said.
Experts say most food for a great white is in the 20 mile range from shore, so it's likely Mary Lee will stay in that area, but could still make her way closer to land.
"It's unpredictable, but typically they're more off shore," said Cover.
Those who are uneasy...
Ritter: "Do beachgoers have anything to worry about this summer?"
Cover: "You're going to be at more risk in your car ride to the beach then you would be swimming, worrying about a shark attacking you."
"As large as this body of water is and as small as I am and I think the chances of him coming to find me are pretty remote," one beachgoer said.
Since being tagged, Mary Lee traveled nearly 20,000 miles from Florida to Nova Scotia.
If you'd like to know how to follow the great white, click here.
