Onset Hosting Shark Expert Dr. Greg Skomal on January 20

Marine biologist Dr. Greg Skomal doesn't consider himself an expert on great white sharks, but lots of other people do.

Skomal is known internationally for his research on sharks, and has appeared numerous times on television, including on the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" programming.

Skomal currently works for the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries, and has written a book about his research on great white sharks.

He joined Townsquare Sunday to talk about his work and promote an upcoming appearance at the Onset Bay Center to benefit the Nautical Whalers Parrot Head Club of Southeastern Massachusetts.

"My fascination with sharks began when I was a kid," Skomal said. "I watched TV shows about sharks and the movie Jaws and decided I wanted to be a marine scientist, and more specifically, I wanted to study sharks. So I guess I'm living the dream."

Get our free mobile app

Skomal said based on research, it's believed some 800 white sharks have visited Massachusetts waters between 2015 and 2018, attracted mostly because of a growing population of gray seals off the eastern shores of Cape Cod.

Dr. Skomal's book about sharks is titled Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark. He'll be selling and signing copies of the book on January 20 in Onset.

"We have learned so much about the species over the last decade. When you start talking about white sharks, most people think of the movie Jaws, and that's just not realistic," Skomal said. "In some ways, writing the book allows allows me to set the record straight about the realities of this species, and the complexity of restoring a shark population in an area that has an economy based on tourism."

Dr. Skomal's appearance on January 20 will benefit the Nautical Whalers Parrot Head Club of Southeastern Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization that honors the late musician Jimmy Buffett. The group performs volunteer projects and community service tasks throughout the region.

The event begins at 1 p.m. at the Onset Bay Center, located at 186 Onset Avenue, and features a silent auction, a raffle and cash bar. Admission is $20.

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly community affairs program heard Sundays on WBSM. The program features organizations and individuals seeking to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.