Discover the Sharks Found in Buzzards Bay

Quick Take

• One shark in Buzzards Bay looks like your worst nightmare, but the one that can actually send you to the hospital is a different, seemingly harmless species. Meet the sand tiger shark →
• The second-largest fish on Earth regularly visits Buzzards Bay, and its relationship with humans is nothing like you'd expect from something that size. About the basking shark →
• One shark species in the bay doesn't threaten swimmers at all, but local fishermen have a very different opinion of it. See why fishermen dislike it →
• A shark with a tail that makes up half its body length hunts in Buzzards Bay, and that tail is the one thing you should actually worry about. Learn about the thresher's tail →

Buzzards Bay is located in Southeastern Massachusetts between the mainland, the Elizabeth Islands, and the Western edge of Cape Cod. Measuring roughly 28 miles long and 8 miles wide, it is famous for its world-class sailing, rich sportfishing, and numerous species of sharks. Although Buzzards Bay supports approximately a dozen species of sharks, the probability of encountering a dangerous shark is very low, and shark attacks in the bay are incredibly rare. Some species are found year-round, while others migrate through the bay. Continue reading to discover more about the sharks found in Buzzards Bay.

Sand Tiger Shark

The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is also called the gray nurse shark, the spotted ragged-toothshark, or the blue-nurse shark. Sand tiger sharks are summer visitors in Buzzards Bay, typically migrating into the region to feed from July to September before heading south for the winter.

These sharks typically inhabit subtropical and temperate waters throughout the world. Sand tiger sharks are between seven and eight feet long on average and weigh between 250 and 300 pounds.

Sand tiger sharks have sharp, pointy heads and bulky gray bodies, and reddish-brown spots dot their backs. Shivers (groups) of sand tiger sharks have been seen hunting large schools of fish together. This unique species also eats squid, crustaceans, skates, and other sharks.

There are no documented cases of sand tiger sharks attacking humans in Buzzards Bay, and attacks worldwide are extremely rare and rarely fatal.

Atlantic Spiny Dogfish

Atlantic spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) have slim bodies and narrow, pointy snouts. They often bear white spots on their gray bodies, with white undersides. Males of the species are slightly smaller than females. Males average 3.3 feet in length, while females can be up to four feet long and weigh up to eight pounds.

Atlantic spiny dogfish are present in Buzzards Bay from late spring through autumn. They migrate seasonally, moving into Massachusetts bays and estuaries as local water temperatures warm.

Atlantic spiny dogfish pose virtually no threat of attack to swimmers as they possess very small mouths. However, they are highly hazardous when mishandled because they have sharp, venomous spines that can inflict excruciating pain and swelling.

Atlantic Smooth Dogfish

The Atlantic smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) is a small shark with an average length of four feet and an average weight of between 15 and 27 pounds. Also known as the dusky smooth hound, the Atlantic smooth dogfish ranges from gray to olive-brown on its upper surface, fading to a yellowish-gray or pure white.

These sharks are bottom-dwellers that are often spotted swimming close to the shore in Buzzards Bay.
Atlantic smooth dogfish are common in Buzzards Bay and are known to prey on lobsters, sometimes causing issues for local fishers. They don’t pose specific threats to humans, but they certainly are pests and may cause issues for fishers in the bay.

Basking Shark

Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) are annual visitors to Buzzards Bay and the surrounding coastal waters of Massachusetts. They frequent the bay during the warmer months from late spring through fall, as they migrate north to feed on zooplankton. However, sighting frequencies fluctuate annually and are generally lower in the inner bay than they are in the open ocean.

Basking sharks primarily feed on plankton and filter this food through their gills while they swim.

The basking shark is the second-largest living fish, reaching an average adult length of between 23 and 28 feet, and weighing 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. They are grayish-brown and sometimes mottled.

Basking sharks do not pose a threat to humans. They are docile filter-feeders that eat microscopic zooplankton and invertebrate larvae. However, their skin is covered in sharp barbs that can irritate the skin, and a thrash of its enormous tail could accidentally capsize a small boat.

Sandbar Shark

Sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus), are among the larger shark species found in Buzzards Bay. They are between 6 and 8 feet long and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds.

Sandbar sharks are gray or brown, with tall first and second dorsal fins. They are typically seen in Buzzards Bay between June and September, dining on small fish and squid.

Sandbar sharks are docile and rarely aggressive toward humans. However, these sharks should still be viewed with caution and should not be approached.

Common Thresher Shark

comes to Buzzards Bay as water temperatures rise in mid-June and stays through October, when they migrate to warmer waters. To prepare for their migration, thresher sharks feed on baitfish, such as bunker and menhaden.

The common thresher shark is instantly recognizable by its extremely long, scythe-like tail, which accounts for approximately half of its total body length. They range from metallic brown, teal-gray, or bluish-gray on top, with a stark white underbelly.

While threshers prefer slightly deeper or open ocean waters, they are highly migratory and do venture into coastal areas. Because they feed primarily on schooling fish, they are largely considered timid and harmless to humans.