Great Whites expected to return to Cape

CHATHAM (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - State and local officials are expecting a return of the Great White sharks that lingered off the shores of Chatham last summer.

There are hopes a tagging program put into place last summer will help scientists learn more about the sharks and why they're coming to the Cape.

Last summer, great white sharks were spotted off Chatham feeding on their favorite food - seals. But their arrival closed lighthouse beach for the first time ever in August and again in September.

Beach goers are alarmed even though the sharks haven't returned yet.

Last year's tagging program resulted in sharks being tracked to Florida this winter. They adapted to waters as cold as 44 degrees and spent most of their time in waters between 59 and 73 degrees.

Not only are hundreds of seals and attraction for the great white sharks -- but warmer waters off Cape Cod are also bringing them north. But it's not what tourism officials or tourists want to hear about.

Fishermen, lifeguards and swimmers are already on the lookout for the return of the Great White sharks, just as the summer season gets underway.