20-Foot Shark Spotted in Block Island Pond is Harmless Basking Shark

BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. – A 20-foot shark sighting in Block Island‘s Great Salt Pond on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, has been identified as a harmless basking shark that likely made a navigational error.

The sighting created a buzz among tourists and locals. Many initially feared a great white shark had entered the tranquil waters. However, experts confirmed that the massive creature, weighing thousands of pounds, was actually a basking shark.

Jon Dodd, the executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute, noted, “The phone lit up, and then our website lit up,” after local diner Jen Seebeck captured a video of the shark’s dorsal fin surfacing near Dead Eye Dick’s restaurant. The footage quickly went viral, drawing over 12 million views and prompting comparisons to the classic film “Jaws,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“They look very intimidating,” Dodd explained. “But knowing what to look for, you can quickly tell it’s not a white shark.” Basking sharks are filter feeders and pose no threat to humans.

These sharks, which prefer cooler waters, frequently appear in Rhode Island during the summer months. Dodd highlighted the basking shark’s vulnerable status, as described by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “In many parts of the world, they’re considered endangered,” he added.

Experts believe the shark accidentally ended up in the pond while exploring the area. “This guy just made a mistake,” Dodd speculated. “He must’ve been cruising up the west side of Block Island and said, ‘Hey, let me explore what’s going on in this pond.’”

The shark is thought to have been in Great Salt Pond for about a day before it likely exited at night when boat traffic reduced.

Dodd expressed that the incident is a positive sign for marine life. “It’s a good sign,” he remarked, encouraging conservation efforts for these important species.