Cape Cod Turns Growing Great White Shark Presence Into Booming Ecotourism Industry

Cape Cod’s beaches, long famed for their scenery, are now attracting tourists eager to see great-white sharks, a trend that has lifted the area’s tourism earnings from roughly $2 billion to almost $2.8 billion. The increase coincides with a dramatic rise in gray seal numbers after the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which in turn draws more sharks to the waters. Safety measures such as warning signs, “Stop the Bleed” kits, and the Sharktivity app keep beachgoers informed, while charter services offered by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy charge $500 per seat or $2,500 for private outings and allow participants to aid research.

Although shark bites have occurred, including a fatal attack in 2018, officials advise swimming in groups and avoiding murky water. The phenomenon is also driving ancillary businesses, like pool builders advertising “shark-free swimming.” Overall, the coexistence of tourists and apex predators is reshaping Cape Cod’s economy and conservation efforts.