Shark Attacks Surge: Nantucket Fisherman Bitten, Summer Beaches on Alert

Sarah Johnson
July 9, 2025
Brief
Shark bites surge this summer as a Nantucket fisherman and others face attacks at popular U.S. beaches, highlighting the risks of entering the ocean’s domain.
A 21-year-old fisherman in Nantucket learned the hard way that even a caught shark can fight back. On Sunday, July Fourth weekend, the young man hooked a sandbar shark and reeled it onto the shore of a popular beach vacation destination. In a bold move to return the thrashing predator to the ocean, he was bitten on the leg, suffering a severe injury. Friends rushed him to a local hospital before he was airlifted to a mainland facility for advanced treatment.
This incident is part of a troubling trend this summer, with shark bites making headlines across U.S. beaches. On the same day, a 40-year-old surfer in New Smyrna Beach, Florida—dubbed the shark bite capital—suffered a gruesome 10-inch wound that damaged muscles, tendons, and nerves. Earlier in June, a 9-year-old girl snorkeling off Boca Grande, Florida, nearly lost her hand in a shark attack but was saved through intricate surgery. Meanwhile, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, reported another shark-related injury, underscoring the risks of summer beach getaways.
Shark expert Forrest Galante emphasizes that the ocean is the sharks’ domain, not ours. “We’re not the apex predator here,” he notes, urging beachgoers to respect the natural hierarchy of the sea. As summer crowds flock to coastal hotspots, these incidents serve as a stark reminder: the ocean is no place for overconfidence.
Topics
Editor's Comments
Looks like sharks are throwing a summer party, and humans keep crashing it! That Nantucket fisherman thought he’d play hero, but the shark said, ‘Bite me—oh wait, I’ll bite you!’ Moral of the story: let the fish keep the ocean, unless you want a leg-endary scar.
Like this article? Share it with your friends!
If you find this article interesting, feel free to share it with your friends!
Thank you for your support! Sharing is the greatest encouragement for us.