A shark spotted near the shoreline at Ffryes Beach on Sunday caused brief alarm among beachgoers, prompting some swimmers to exit the water while others watched from a distance. No injuries were reported.
According to Antigua News Room, witnesses described the animal moving slowly just beyond the shallows, with onlookers recording the sighting and urging caution to those further out in the water. The shark eventually swam away without incident.
Local boater, businessman and fisherman Eli Fuller responded to the incident, stating that such sightings are not unusual along Antigua's coastline and are a sign of a thriving marine ecosystem.
Commenting on the Antigua News Room report, Fuller explained that the area's extensive seagrass beds create ideal habitats for marine life, attracting sharks that primarily feed on stingrays and turtles — species that frequently venture close to shore.
Fuller also noted that there has never been a confirmed shark attack in Antigua, adding that only a few minor incidents have been recorded in Barbuda.
He further highlighted a wider decline in shark populations across the Caribbean and Atlantic, attributing the trend to commercial fishing, while pointing out that several islands have moved to introduce protections for the species.
Authorities generally advise swimmers to remain calm and exit the water safely if a shark is spotted nearby.
