Sharks of the Chesapeake Bay

Let’s start with the important bit: there have been no recorded shark attacks in the Chesapeake Bay. This is according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and they should know. Now that we’ve cleared that up, here are some fascinating facts about sharks of the Chesapeake Bay:

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Frequent Visitors

According to the Chesapeake Bay Program, there are at least 12 species of sharks who visit the Chesapeake Bay frequently. The 5 most common types are the sandbar shark, bull shark, sand tiger shark, smooth dogfish, and the spiny dogfish. Many of these species are bottom feeders and snack on fish, crustaceans, turtles, and blue crabs (a particular favorite of the sandbar shark – who can blame them?)

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Some other species that visit either infrequently or rarely (but there are still recorded cases) are basking shark, bonnethead, smooth hammerhead, Atlantic angel shark, scalloped hammerhead, Atlantic sharpnose, and dusky sharks. 

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Even though we may not want to think about sharing the water (and our crabs!) with these toothy creatures, these top predators are actually a sign of a healthy ecosystem. 

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Warmer Waters

Climate change may affect how many and what types of sharks we will see in our waterways in the future. The water in the bay is warmer than in past decades, making it more suitable for some species and less so for others. According to the Chesapeake Bay Program, “Shark sightings may become more common as temperatures continue to rise. This could impact the Bay's ecosystem since sharks feed on species like blue crabs and other fish.”

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William Burtis’ Shark Encounter

Dropping some history in with your shark facts here. You may be familiar with the Burtis House, the last remaining 19th-century waterman’s house on City Dock, which housed three generations of the Burtis family. The OG Burtis, William Burtis, moved here from New York in the late 19th century. He became a man about town – he was a waterman, an entrepreneur, a constable, a homebrewer of ginger beer, and an activist against “oyster pirates.” (Get to the shark, I hear you.) 

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So one day, (as reported by Capital Gazette) in August 1893, he saw a shark in Spa Creek and as the story goes, he chased the 9.5-foot, 900-pound shark around in a rowboat until he harpooned it. The shark pulled Burtis and the rowboat toward Greenbury Point until it succumbed. Burtis hauled the shark back to Bay Ridge Resort and charged a nickel for people to have a peek.

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Naptown Cameo?

Hey Discovery – come film a special in Annapolis for your next season. I can see it now: Shark Frenzy: Old Bay in the Water –or– Blue Angels: Rare Sightings of the Atlantic Angel Sharks –or– Whose Fin is Bigger?: Sharks of Ego Alley . . .

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Ok, fine, we know it’s a stretch, but if you want to know the real programs coming up on Discovery’s 2024 Shark Week, you can find details here. 

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Send us your shark pics

Have you ever had a close encounter with a shark in Annapolis waterways? We’d love to see your Naptown shark photos. Post and tag us on Instagram and you might see your photo in an issue of an upcoming Naptown Scoop. 

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Sharks are friends, and so is Naptown Scoop. If you don’t already get our friendly local newsletter, take the bait and sign up here.

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Enjoy Shark Week! 

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