A group of tourists from Pennsylvania had a terrifying encounter with a great white shark off the Jersey Shore.
Jim Piazza, 34, from Media, Pennsylvania, along with his son Jayden and father Joseph, were fishing at sea when they spotted the large great white shark.
The great white shark is half the length of Jim Piazza’s boat, which is over 7 meters long.
The Piazza family was on vacation in the New Jersey area. They went out on a boat to fish, only about 2 kilometers from the shore. The great white shark was half the length of Jim Piazza’s boat, which is over 7 meters long.
Jim Piazza stated, “I have never seen a great white shark up close like that. The shark was just gliding by, showing no signs of attacking us. Its length was truly impressive, just the kind of gigantic creature you expect to see in the ocean.”
The 34-year-old man has been fishing at sea for many years but had never encountered a great white shark at such close range.
Jim Piazza reported the incident to the U.S. Coast Guard, who dispatched personnel to the area to ensure safety. According to the marine security staff, great white sharks are not uncommon off the coast of New Jersey, but it is rare to capture video footage of a great white shark so close to shore.
Currently, waters in many areas of the U.S. are warming, creating opportunities for shark activity. In coastal cities, locals frequently share information about shark sightings. Massachusetts alone has reported about 10 shark sightings. In New York, there is an increased use of drones to detect sharks before they approach the shore.
In 2021 alone, there were 47 shark attacks on humans. Experts advise swimmers to stay near lifeguards and avoid swimming in areas where seals are present.
