Letter: The delights of Mary Lee

I was delighted to read “7 reasons to love Mary Lee, the superstar shark” by Mandy Matney. As a part-time resident of Callawassie Island and also a resident of Cape May County in New Jersey, I am very familiar with Mary Lee, the shark.

This 16-foot, 3,500-pound shark appears to have quite a fan club up and down the eastern seaboard. Initially tagged by OCEARCH on Sept. 17, 2012, off Cape Cod, Mass., she has traveled many, many miles, often stopping by the New Jersey shore, and now I see off the South Carolina coast.

Mandy’s charming interview published Oct. 3 in the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette was a pleasure to read. I am convinced that Mary Lee must be following me in my travels. When I was at home in Cape May County during early May, Mary Lee “pinged” off the coast of Ocean City, not far from my home in New Jersey.

Now, here I am in South Carolina, and I read that Mary Lee’s location was pinged recently off Hunting Island. She feels like an old friend, and you provided a wonderful insight into the personality of this amazing swimmer.

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 8:56 AM with the headline "Letter: The delights of Mary Lee."