The town of Chatham, MA, on Cape Cod, has restricted swimming on its beaches after sightings of several great white sharks.  The sharks may have disappointed beach-goers hoping for one last weekend in the water, but they have excited scientists hoping to study the behavior of the sharks.

Scientists were able to affix tags on two of the sharks, marking only the second and third time such a feat was accomplished. The tags will record the sharks’ locations, the temperature of the water, and the amount of light every ten minutes. This data will be recorded until January when the tags will pop off and float to the surface. Once at the surface the tags will send the recorded information to scientists.

The information may prove valuable in understanding the migratory habits of great white sharks.

To read more about the sharks in Chatham at the Boston Herald.

Read about the great white shark at Animal Fact Guide.