First ever video of great white shark in Rhode Island waters

BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. — For the first time on record, a great white shark has been captured on video in Rhode Island waters, adding a milestone to local shark research and conservation.

The Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI) announced Tuesday that one of its Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVs) filmed a juvenile white shark swimming off Block Island. BRUVs are underwater camera rigs, deployed on the sea floor and baited to attract marine life, that allow scientists to study sharks and other species in their natural habitat without disturbance.

“These small white sharks can be so elusive we didn’t know if it would ever happen,” said Jon Dodd, executive director of the ASI. “This is another excellent data point for our white shark research here in Southern New England, and we hope it’s not the last.”

The video shows the young shark gliding through clear teal waters, a rare sight given how infrequently juvenile white sharks are observed in the Northwest Atlantic. Scientists described the moment as finding “a needle in the haystack,” emphasizing how limited the population is compared to other shark species in the region.

White sharks, more commonly known as great whites, tend to patrol nearshore waters, according to NOAA. But they are also one of the world’s most protected shark species, due to slow reproductive rates and their sensitivity to human impacts. Each documented encounter helps researchers better understand their movements and supports broader conservation efforts.

For ASI, the footage represents not just a scientific milestone but also an opportunity to spark public awareness about Rhode Island’s role in shark research. As coastal waters continue to attract top predators like the white shark, the institute says its work is only becoming more vital.

Back in August, the Atlantic Shark Institute tagged two more great white sharks off the coast of Rhode Island as part of its research program.