August 15, 2016 — “There are definitely more sharks in the area,” Paul Sieswerda, former curator of the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, told The Post. A perfect storm of successful shark conservation efforts, less-polluted waters, and warmer ocean temperatures from climate change has made our shores more welcoming to bait fish like menhaden — and the sharks who love them.
“It’s kind of like the menhaden are the wildebeests of the African plains — everything likes eating them and there are more every year,” Sieswerda said.
He said the huge schools of menhaden, a k a bunker, also attract seals, which is a favorite of great white sharks.