Fishermen off Cape Canaveral on Monday got the kind of up-close shark encounter most people only see in movies, filming a massive great white cruising just feet from their boat on Florida's Space Coast. In a short clip, the shark rolls and glides along the hull, then slips back into deeper water as calmly as it arrived.
Close encounter captured on video
The video was posted online and quickly picked up by local aggregators. In the clip, the great white drifts within a few feet of the anglers' boat, then eventually turns away. Spot On Florida shared the report of the FOX 35 Orlando footage and linked out to the original video.
Why great whites turn up here
Scientists point to seasonal migrations that bring white sharks down the U.S. East Coast, and satellite-tagged animals have been detected near Brevard County this winter. A juvenile shark nicknamed "Brass Bed" pinged near Merritt Island in February, a movement researchers discussed in reporting by FOX News, which helps explain why sightings have been cropping up along Florida's Space Coast.
Protections and angler rules
Atlantic white sharks are a protected species, and federal guidance requires recreational anglers who encounter them to release the animals immediately and to avoid removing them from the water. NOAA Fisheries also outlines safe handling practices designed to maximize a shark's chances of survival after release.
Beachgoer and boater safety
Officials say that while seeing a large shark can be unnerving, the basics still apply. Follow lifeguard instructions, pay attention to beach flags, and avoid swimming near dawn or dusk or in murky water. For standard flag meanings and detailed lifeguard guidance, check materials from the United States Lifesaving Association and talk with local beach officials before heading into the surf.
