Hammerhead Shark Spotted In Long Island Sound: Video

THE LYMES, CT — When a Connecticut fisherman heard reports of dolphins in Long Island Sound, he hoped to catch a glimpse. Instead, he encountered something far less common in the Sound: a hammerhead shark.

Joshua Enman posted a video of the shark spotted near Hatchett Reef, off the coast of Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic in the Facebook group, Long Island Sound Fishing Reports.

“I saw it Monday around noon. I thought it was a dolphin at first because everybody kept saying they saw dolphins out there,” Enman said. “But then when I got closer to it, I saw it was a hammerhead shark.”

“It was a little chilly to see a shark in the Sound like that,” Enman added. “I’ve been out there a long time, never seen that.”

While sharks are native to Long Island Sound and more commonly seen during the summer, southern species — including hammerheads — are venturing farther north.

“They are somewhat unusual in New England waters but are visiting more often as the waters are getting warmer,” said a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Marine Fisheries Division.

DEEP said there have been reports of hammerhead shark sightings in neighboring states, including New York and Rhode Island, as well as around Block Island, in recent weeks.

“Hammerhead sharks are fish eating sharks and not usually interested in humans, but they are large predators with many sharp teeth. People should keep a safe distance,” the spokesperson added.

The sighting comes after another fisherman caught a 5-foot shark near East Haven in July.

If you've spotted a shark in Connecticut waters, you can fill out this form here.