VIDEO: Dogfish Shark Sighting in Narragansett

VIDEO: Dogfish Shark Sighting in Narragansett

It’s a big summer for sharks for sure. 

While the classic New England movie “Jaws” is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Rhode Island artist Mike Bryce caught a much smaller - but real - shark in action in Narragansett on Monday evening. 

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“Baby shark at Narragansett Beach along the wall!  If you stop the video you will see a 20” Tautog fish right below me!” said Bryce.

Bryce told GoLocal the sighting attracted onlookers along the oceanfront looking to stay cool. 

 

“This one swam in circles by the 'Gansett wall for hours, with its fin cutting through the water like a scene from Jaws! Delighted many onlookers," he said. 

Bryce and some commenters thought it could be a “dog fish” shark; Jon Dodd with the the Atlantic Shark Institute confirmed with GoLocal on Tuesday that was indeed the case.

Moreover, Dodd said they generally present no threat to people. 

"Very common. That’s a dogfish shark," said Dodd. "Harmless to humans and we’ve caught and released 10 so far today!"

URI Professor Bradley Weatherbee also told GoLocal, "That is a smooth dogfish or dusky dogfish (Mustelus canis); very common in Rhode Island in the summer and harmless to humans."

Like many Rhode Islanders, Bryce - who was the subject of a recent feature in GoLocal - was by the water just trying to beat the heat. 

“I just finished the Narragansett Art Festival this weekend, and celebrated with a beach day!” said Bryce.