Two Sharks in One Day Near Jupiter — A Possible Great White Hooked Off the Coast and a Dead Hammerhead South of Jupiter Beach Resort

If you needed one more reason to pay attention on your next paddle out, Friday — the final day of Shark Week 2026 — delivered two shark sightings within miles of Jupiter's shoreline.

The first involved a group of fishermen on Normandy Beach at Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County, who were caught on video struggling with a hooked shark estimated at 12 feet. They eventually unhooked the animal and released it back into the water. Jupiter-based shark expert and conservationist Jim Abernethy reviewed the footage and believes it may have been a great white shark.

The second incident happened closer to home. A dead hammerhead shark was spotted washed up just south of the Jupiter Beach Resort on Friday. Musician Christopher Ray submitted video to WPBF 25. Fish & Wildlife arrived later that day and removed the shark.

Both incidents occurred on July 31 — the final day of Shark Week 2026 on Discovery Channel, which ran July 26 through August 1.

The sightings come as Martin County is also reviewing its shark fishing ordinance following a state order. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission directed Martin County to align its beach fishing rules with state regulations; under current county rules, shark fishing is prohibited within 1,000 yards of its four guarded beaches. Commissioners postponed a decision this week while attorneys review the law.

For Jupiter beach-goers: sharks in these waters are not unusual — hammerheads and bull sharks are regularly spotted along the coastline, particularly in summer.

Standard guidance applies: avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or night, and stay away from areas where people are fishing.

Photo by: WPBF