By Jeff Skrzypek

NEWPORT, Ore.--  The recent string of shark sightings near towns along the central coast of Oregon, has sparked some worry in people about the increase of Great White Sharks.

Earlier in the year, a man pulled up a Great White Shark that was snagged in his crabbing gear.  Then a few more sightings were reported by surfers in the area, some said there was even a person bumped off their board by a shark.

The string of shark sightings has lead some people to worry about the possibility of an increase of the ocean predators.  But many of the people who are out in the water everyday say, that isn't necessarily the case.

Some surfers say the increase in sightings may be due to the increase of people using the ocean.  They say they are seeing more visitors using the Oregon Coast, now more than in previous years.  Many surfers say because there are more people out in the water, there is bound to be more reports of sharks in the area.

Veteran Surfers at Agate Beach say there has always been a good amount of sharks along the Oregon Coast.  They say there is no reason to be alarmed about the increase in shark reports because the ocean is where sharks live and people are bound to see a fin of the fierce predator eventually. They say when they see a shark in the water, they get out and return at another time.