Montauk 'Shark Week' star Craig O'Connell on sightings, attacks

 Big ratings and (for the moment) big headlines too: Discovery Channel wraps its annual celebration of sharks this Saturday at 8 p.m. with "Monsters of the Cape," featuring Montauk-based Dr. Craig O'Connell. In an interview conducted by email, Newsday spoke with O'Connell about those headlines. A leading shark expert, O'Connell, along with his wife, Dr. Nicole O'Connell, a pediatrician, runs Montauk's O'Seas Conservation Foundation. (Interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.)

 This newspaper recently ran a story that said there have been "13 documented shark attacks on humans in New York over the past century" — but nearly half of those off LI since June. What's going on? 

It is truly interesting and there may be so many contributing factors. A rigorous and routine shark monitoring program in this region — specifically Fire Island — is needed and may help reveal what may be going on.

When you and I last spoke — mid-July, 2021 — there had hardly been any shark sightings around LI, let alone attacks. What's different this year? 

There can be numerous factors that may drive these sharks closer to shore. Is it warming waters that are not only bringing different species to New York but driving these sharks closer to shore? Water temperature, prey availability, weather conditions, water visibility, tides and species that are present can all play a role — and without rigorous research we just cannot say for certain why these encounters occurred. 

What species have been involved in the attacks?

 Sand tiger sharks tend to be a bit shier and less inquisitive, although they have been responsible for some bites. What I have noticed is both spinner and blacktip sharks becoming more abundant in our waters in the summertime. These species are responsible for less serious bites in areas like Florida — New Smyrna Beach — and since their arrival coincides with the timings of these bites, either of these species is a possibility.

Are these two new to these waters? 

We are beginning to see them in very high abundance. I am uncertain how new that is, but it is new to me and many of the commercial fishermen I have been speaking with. While not among the most dangerous sharks in the world, blacktips and spinners have been known to bite swimmers and surfers.

Last summer, you were excited about a rare congregation of the endangered thresher shark off LI. Any update? 

I just finished making my first full-length documentary on this exact thing, called ‘The Ghosts of New York’. What we found is that water temperature and prey availability align at this one particular reef off of Montauk each year, which results in the seasonal and predictable — to the day — arrival of common thresher sharks.

 What's the outlook for sharks around the world?

My outlook is grim for many species and in many parts of the world because I’ve seen pure devastation — sharks by the hundreds, finned and thrown back into the water only to sink down and die a devastating death. When you see that you lose hope, but also when you see what state and federal protections have done for species like the white shark, you can also be optimistic. It is critically important for people to recognize that our resources are finite and we must do things sustainably if we hope to have anything left.

Tell me about Saturday's program. 

It introduces two unique shark deterrent technologies that may help facilitate the coexistence between white sharks and people. I had the privilege of testing out my newest invention, the ‘Exclusion Barrier’ [for the episode]. In areas like South Africa and Australia, devastating drumlines and nets are deployed as a way to kill sharks to make beaches ‘safer’ but have contributed to a massive decline in local shark populations. We hope this technology can replace those nets and drumlines.