The story reads like a scene from a blockbuster movie, but in 2004, it was a real-life challenge for marine biologist Greg Skomal. A fully grown, four-meter female great white shark, later named Gretel, found herself unexpectedly confined to a small saltwater pond off Naushon Island, Massachusetts. The incident, reminiscent of the infamous pond scene in Jaws, presented a unique opportunity for scientific study and a logistical puzzle for Skomal and his team.
Skomal, a veteran of marine fisheries research, had never encountered a live great white shark in New England waters prior to this event. The call reporting Gretel’s predicament was, as he recounts, entirely unexpected. The situation quickly evolved from a curious anomaly into a focused effort to understand and, assist the stranded apex predator. The initial goal was data collection. Skomal successfully attached a satellite tag to Gretel, marking the first time an Atlantic white shark had been tracked in this manner. However, the tag’s promise of tracking her movements was short-lived; it malfunctioned, leaving her subsequent journey a mystery.
The challenge wasn’t simply about freeing a large, potentially dangerous animal. It was about doing so without causing harm to Gretel or to the people drawn to the spectacle. Word spread rapidly, attracting onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of the shark. Authorities were forced to close the area to prevent kayakers and others from approaching too closely, balancing public interest with safety concerns.
Initial attempts to encourage Gretel to leave the pond proved futile. The team tried a variety of tactics, drawing on an understanding of shark sensory perception. A trail of food, intended to lure her back to the ocean, was ignored. Attempts to disorient or deter her using excessive noise, underwater dust clouds, and even electrical fields also failed. The team found themselves facing a stubborn animal seemingly unwilling to cooperate with their efforts.
After ten days, it became clear that physical intervention was necessary. Skomal was reluctant to directly manipulate such a large shark, but inaction risked Gretel becoming stranded in the shallow waters of Lackey’s Bay, a broader area connected to the pond. Collaboration with local weir fishermen proved crucial. They devised a system of nets to gently guide Gretel towards the pond’s entrance and, hopefully, back out to sea. This initial effort partially succeeded, moving the shark from the main pond into the shallower bay, but not fully to open water.
The final hurdle involved navigating a complex underwater landscape of sandbars and boulder fields. The team realized the shallows, previously a problem, could be leveraged to their advantage. Using two boats equipped with high-powered water pumps, they created a directed current, effectively herding Gretel over the obstacles and into the deeper waters of Vineyard Sound. After two weeks of confinement, Gretel was finally back in her natural habitat.
Skomal emphasizes that despite their reputation, great white sharks aren’t the mindless monsters often portrayed in popular culture. Gretel’s time in the pond was marked by a lack of aggression towards humans, and many locals expressed concern for her well-being. The incident, he believes, helped to shift public perception, fostering a greater appreciation for these fascinating creatures.
The Gretel incident proved to be a harbinger of changes to come. Skomal notes that prior to 2004, great white shark sightings in the Cape Cod area were rare. In the years that followed, however, their numbers increased significantly, leading him to tag over 400 white sharks as they returned to New England waters. The story of Gretel, wasn’t just a remarkable rescue; it was a sign of a changing ecosystem and a new era of shark research.
Skomal details the experience in his book, “Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark”, offering a firsthand account of the challenges and rewards of studying these magnificent predators.
