Edgartown prohibits swimming following shark sighting

Published: July 10, 2008 : 5:40 pm

Edgartown beach officials said a large shark identified as a great white was spotted off South Beach in Edgartown today. Edgartown park commissioners acted on the report and closed South Beach to swimming.

Dennis Arnold, Edgartown beach supervisor, said the pilot of a bi-plane owned by the aviation tour company Classic Aviators reported he saw a large shark he identified as a great white. A lifeguard also reported seeing a large fin come out of the water.

Beachgoers also reported dark shapes off Bend in the Road Beach. That beach was also closed to swimming as a precautionary measure said Mr. Arnold.

Mr. Arnold said that signs would be posted tomorrow advising swimmers of shark sightings and letting them know that they swim at their own risk.

Unconfirmed reports of sharks spread around the Island amid considerable confusion.

Beachgoers reported that Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark was closed. The Chilmark police said it was not.

A lifeguard who asked not to be identified said beach officials received an unconfirmed report of a shark sighting off nearby Abel's Hill Beach. A red flag was hoisted at Lucy Vincent as a signal that swimmers should use extreme caution.

Marilyn Wortman, Edgartown parks and recreation administrator, said Edgartown Harbormaster Charlie Blair saw a shark off Bend in the Road Beach. Reached by The Times Mr. Blair said he saw no sharks anywhere.

Mr. Arnold said one of his lifeguards received a call from a Tisbury lifeguard that a large shark and two smaller sharks entered the channel to Tashmoo Pond from Vineyard Sound.

Fred LaPiana, Tisbury department of public works director, closed Tashmoo Beach to swimming, based on a report from harbormaster Jay Wilbur. Mr. LaPiana said he knew nothing about a lifeguard seeing a shark and had it happened he would know about it.