The Atlantic Shark Institute has observed around 15 species in Rhode Island, of which the Atlantic angel shark is the most unique because of its flattened body and widened pectoral fins. With the help of the shark tracking devices placed in the water by the Department of Environmental Management”, more sharks have been traced in the waters of Rhode Island. Their pace and movement pattern has also been detected with ease. From 2019-2022 around 20 great whites have been tagged moving along the RI waters.
In fact, in June 2022, a 10 ft. 8 inches tall great white Andromache was tagged in RI. In another incident that occurred the same year, researchers from the University of Rhode Island who set out to tag mako sharks were in for a surprise. They had encountered a young great white instead, which was circling their boat.
When speaking about shark attacks, it has been extremely rare in Rhode Island since 1670. The only confirmed unprovoked fatal attack occurred in 1895, where a man named Beattie fell victim to a shark bite.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Rhode Island
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
Dusky Shark |
9 -12 feet | Not aggressive (until provoked) |
Blue Shark |
6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
Thresher Shark |
10-18 feet | Not aggressive |
Shortfin Mako Shark |
6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
Basking Shark |
23-30 feet | Not aggressive |
Sandbar Shark |
5.5-8.5 feet | Not aggressive |
Great White Shark |
11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Porbeagle Shark | 6-12 feet | Not aggressive |
Tiger Shark |
10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 7-10 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small mouths) |
| Spiny Dogfish | 2.5-3.5 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small size) |
| Atlantic Angelshark | 3-4 feet | Moderately aggressive |
