Most people think of the shark as the ultimate symbol of dread, giants with cold lifeless eyes who cruise the ocean looking for swimmers they can tear from limb to limb. The very word itself is used to describe people in society who prey on others or who engage in deceptive practices.

There is probably not an animal in the world more despised or feared then sharks, ranking right down there with snakes and spiders.

Even on an Island that knows a little something about shark hysteria, the upcoming Boston Big Game Fishing Club Monster Shark tournament is a frenzied event.

As the sport-fishing boat Cookie Too backed into the slip in Oak Bluffs harbor on Saturday evening, nervous chatter rippled through the onlookers who had congregated around the dock.

A live baby great white shark was brought into Menemsha harbor by a local fishing boat Tuesday morning. And though the fish was only five feet in length, the fact that it was a great white caused quite a stir.

A 393-pound thresher shark was caught on Friday in waters south of the Vineyard.

A huge 454-pound blue shark was caught during the tenth annual Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament held over the weekend.