Cape Cod shark activity popping off as lifeguards are gone for season, white shark spotted 20 yards off beach

The mass of beachgoers and eagle-eyed lifeguards are now gone from the Cape, but white shark season is only starting to peak.

That’s the message from shark researchers and public safety officials, as some people still head to the beach during the final days of summer.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app was popping off with shark alerts over the weekend, with apex predators being spotted close to shore.

One great white shark, for instance, was seen only 20 yards off Truro’s Longnook Beach. Each summer and fall, sharks hunt for seals close to shore.

“If you’re heading to the beach to take advantage of the quieter times now that summer crowds are gone, you still need to be ‘Shark Smart’ because the sharks are still here,” shark researcher John Chisholm posted.

“Downlo