Options Weighed To Free Great White

WOODS HOLE, Mass. -- Hope that Wednesday's high tide would help lure a stranded great white shark out of a Cape Cod inlet and into deeper waters have faded, and wildlife officials are considering new strategies to free the shark.

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NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that the 1,700-pound shark seems to be in no hurry to leave the inlet between Woods Hole and Naushon Island.

In the eight days since it was first spotted, the shark has refused to follow fresh tuna or any other bait officials have tried to lure it out of the inlet.

"The animal does not seem to be attracted to any food source whatsoever. They can be very habitual, and right now it seems to be in this pattern of circling," said Marine Fisheries Director Paul Diodati.

With remnants of Hurricane Jeanne, experts hoped the shark would ride higher tides out of the estuary, but that did not happen. Now scientists are left considering other options.

"Stirring the sediments in the area, putting up a screen of silt in the water. We have attempted to do that just recently and it doesn't seem to like that," said Diodati.

Scientists say if the shark is still in the estuary in five days, they will be forced to use drastic measures, such as electrical currents or a tail rope to pull the shark out.

"There is an excellent chance that we'll get this animal to leave the area in a noninvasive way so that we do not injure it and no one else was injured. I am very hopeful that that will happen," said Diodati.

Scientists used an underwater camera Tuesday to make sure the fish did not have any injuries or cuts to its underside.