The seemingly improbable scene of a great white shark swimming in a saltwater pond off the coast of Massachusetts unfolded in 2004, an event that captivated scientists and the public alike. Greg Skomal, a marine biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, received a call reporting the presence of a large female great white shark in a small pond near Naushon Island, close to Woods Hole.
Skomal, who would later become a leading expert on white sharks in the Atlantic, named the shark Gretel. The unexpected appearance presented a unique opportunity for research. He successfully attached a satellite tag to Gretel using a sling spear, hoping to track her movements upon her return to the open ocean – a first for Atlantic white shark tracking. Whereas, Gretel defied expectations and remained within the confines of the estuary.
The news of the shark’s presence spread rapidly, drawing onlookers from across the region. People gathered to witness the sight of Gretel’s dorsal fin circling the pond. Concerns for both public safety and the shark’s wellbeing prompted authorities to close the area to prevent people from approaching too closely, including those attempting to kayak for a better view.
Efforts to coax Gretel back to the ocean proved challenging. Initial attempts to lure her with food were unsuccessful. Subsequent strategies, including the use of noise, underwater dust clouds, and electrical fields, also failed to motivate her to leave the pond. After ten days, Skomal and his team determined that physical intervention was necessary.
Working with local weir fishermen, they devised a system of nets to guide Gretel towards the pond’s entrance and, hopefully, back into the sea. This maneuver partially succeeded, moving her from the main pond into the shallower waters of Lackey’s Bay. The challenge then shifted to navigating her over sandbars and around boulder fields.
A collaborative effort involving fishermen, scientists, and environmental police led to a novel solution. Using two boats equipped with high-powered water pumps, they strategically directed Gretel through the shallows, over the sandbar, past the boulder fields, and into the deeper waters of Vineyard Sound. After two weeks of being confined to shallow waters, Gretel was finally back in the open ocean.
Despite the successful rescue, a disappointment followed. The satellite tag attached to Gretel malfunctioned, and Skomal lost contact with her, receiving no further data on her movements. At the time, sightings of great white sharks in the Cape Cod area were rare, and Skomal expressed surprise at the prospect of encountering another. He would later go on to tag over 400 white sharks in the region, a testament to their increasing presence in New England waters, as reported in a New England Aquarium press release discussing his book, “Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark.”
Skomal emphasized that while white sharks are apex predators and require respect, they are not the monstrous creatures often portrayed in popular culture. He noted that Gretel did not harm any humans during her time in the lagoon, and many people expressed concern for her wellbeing and urged his team to save her. This experience, he believes, helped to shift public perception of sharks, fostering a greater understanding of their fascinating nature.
According to a 2025 article in the *Cape Cod Times*, Skomal’s work, alongside that of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, has been instrumental in rewriting the narrative surrounding great white sharks, revealing them to be intelligent and cautious hunters essential to a healthy ecosystem. The research utilizes advanced technology to track shark behavior, providing a more nuanced understanding than previously available.
