Great white shark spotted off coast of Cape Cod

BOSTON - The first great white shark of the year was spotted Monday off the coast of Cape Cod, CBS affiliate WBZ reports.

A female, 15-foot shark, was spotted by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy off of South Beach in Orleans. The shark was spotted in 15- to 20-foot deep water.

Dr. Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries was working when the shark was photographed.

"This is not unusual," said Dr. Skomal. "We fully anticipate that the sharks would be here by now. We're not seeing large numbers yet. I think the water temperatures are still quite cold."

In 2014, 68 sharks were counted off the coast of Orleans and Chatham, according to Skomal.

WBZ reports experts believe the shark is well into her 20s. They have not yet determined if she is a return visitor. Cynthia Wigren of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said they will analyze her markings this week.

"We were able to get GoPro video of the shark which is what the scientists use to ID the shark and catalog the shark," she said.

Experts will also start using new technology to track the sharks this summer.

"Sharks are here to consume seals," said Skomal. "Don't swim in close proximity to seals. Don't swim alone. Don't swim great distances from shore."