Beachgoers at Ffryes Beach were briefly alarmed on Sunday after a shark was spotted near the shoreline, prompting some swimmers to exit the water while others watched from a distance.

Witnesses said the animal moved slowly just beyond the shallows, drawing attention from onlookers who recorded the sighting and urged caution to those further out. No injuries were reported, and the shark eventually swam away without incident.

Responding to the incident, local boater, businessman and fisherman Eli Fuller said such sightings are not unusual along Antigua’s coastline and reflect a thriving marine ecosystem.

Commenting on an Antigua News Room post, Fuller explained that the area’s extensive seagrass beds create ideal habitats for marine life, attracting sharks that primarily feed on stingrays and turtles—species that often come close to shore.

He added that there has never been a confirmed shark attack in Antigua, noting that only a few minor incidents have been recorded in Barbuda.

Fuller also pointed to a wider decline in shark populations across the Caribbean and Atlantic due to commercial fishing, while highlighting that several islands have introduced protections for the species.

Authorities generally advise swimmers to remain calm and exit the water safely if a shark is spotted nearby.