A rare catch of a great white shark documented and posted to YouTube is likely the first time the species has been caught from a beach in Alabama, a leading shark researcher says.

J. Marcus Drymon, assistant extension professor at Mississippi State University and a leading shark expert, confirmed Tuesday that the early morning March 6 catch by anglers in Orange Beach was exactly what they expected — a great white shark.

“The shark is easy to distinguish from most other shark species in the Gulf of Mexico; some distinguishing features that were noticeable on the video include a homocercal tail, a strong caudal keel and a conical snout,” said Drymon.

It’s a rare catch as well, he said.

“I am only aware of a few great white sharks that have been caught from the beach near Alabama,” he said, adding that one was caught from a beach a few years ago in Pensacola.

“This is likely the first great white shark caught from the beach in Alabama.”

The video shows the lead-up to the catch involving a fishing party, and the uncertainty of the monster they had caught.

One of the fishing guides can be heard confirming the catch, “you guys just caught the first ever-land based great white to hit a beach in Alabama.”

“I think it was an amazing opportunity these anglers had to experience catching one,” said Scot Bannon, director of the Marine Resources Divisions with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“They followed all of the precautions to ensure that safety was paramount to them, and others that would utilize the beaches.”

Bannon and Drymon said that great white shark catches will continue to be rare near the coastal beaches.

“We know they do spend time in the Gulf, but generally do not like the warmer waters that we have, and the food source close to shore is not really what they prefer,” Bannon said.

“I doubt we will see this being a regular occurrence, just an exciting isolated event.”

Larger great white sharks have been tracked offshore in Florida in recent weeks as well, but Drymon said the public has nothing to be concerned about.

“This species is still rare this close in the Gulf of Mexico,” he said. “People should absolutely not be concerned that this shark is in the water. My three children and I will still swim on coastal Alabama beaches.”