Great white shark spotted in Long Island Sound in rare sighting

But not for first time, marine research boss says

A rare great white shark has been spotted in the Long Island Sound on the northwest US coast.

The 9ft 8in predator was found “just off the shore near Greenwich” in Connecticut, according to ocean research company Ocearch.

“As far as we know, it’s unusual for white sharks to visit the area,” the firm tweeted.

Ocearch has been tracking the fish, which is not yet fully grown, since 2018.

The company said on Monday that it was tracking a great white shark in the Sound for “the first time ever”.

But chairman Chris Fischer told News 12 Connecticut that it was not unheard of for the species to be seen in the region. Nonetheless, he said, “we were quite surprised to see this one so far to the west”.

Indeed, Ocearch tweeted in September 2016 that it had tracked a smaller great white named Montauk in the same body of water.

Mr Fischer told ABC News on Monday: “I think it’s a really great sign for the Sound because these white sharks only go where there’s an abundant amount of life, where the water is in pretty good shape. That’s a real positive sign.”