We all know the two most ominous and terrifying notes in all of movie soundtrack history: The infamous duunn-dun that signals an impending shark attack in Spielberg’s classic 1975 horror film, Jaws.

Unlike the shark’s ill-fated victims in the movie, boaters can be better prepared for their next trip out on the water thanks to a new free app that allows users around the country to track shark activity.

The app, appropriately dubbed “Sharktivity,” was created by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, an organization that aims to promote awareness, education, and research that encourages humans and white sharks to co-exist peacefully. 

Sharktivity can help boaters and fishermen locate the best and safest places on the water, all in real time and at the touch of your fingertips.

To view shark sightings, all you need to do is download the app. To report a shark sighting, the app will ask for some of the following information:

1. Species of shark
2. Time and date sighted
3. Your location
4. Number of sharks spotted
5. Condition of the shark (live, dead, distressed, or injured) 
6. Optional photo attachment
7. Additional comments 
8. Your name and phone number, so the sighting can be verified

 Sharktivity users are able to see this information  for each shark sighting within the past  year,  month, week, or two days (whichever view you  prefer). The app also allows users  to  donate to  shark-related research and provides tips on  staying safe and smart  around   our  many-toothed friends.  

 For our SavvyBoater customers in the northeastern United States, this app will  be especially useful during the summer months when shark populations off the east  coast  typically rise. In  2015, 141 sharks were tracked near Cape Cod — up from 68 the  year  before.

 Shark sightings are often few and far between, and can be an amazing sight to behold.  That  being said, it’s always better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.

So, the next time you’re out on the open water or on the shore and you see a sleek fin  carving  the surface — and you hear that duunn-dun get faster and louder inside your head  — be sure to let other boaters know via Sharktivity.