Gloucester officials closed Good Harbor Beach to swimming Friday after a reported shark sighting, marking the second shark warning at the beach this week. Officials advised people to stay out of the water until further notice and to follow lifeguard instructions. The beach had been temporarily closed Thursday while the Harbormaster investigated a sighting but was reopened when no further shark activity was observed. Officials also warned of high surf and strong rip currents beginning Thursday through the weekend. Coastal communities in the region have increased shark monitoring and safety protocols, including detection buoys and cautionary flags.
Officials initially closed the beloved spot - often ranked among the best in Massachusetts - around noon Thursday while the Harbormaster investigated a report of a sighting, but reopened it just after 3 p.m. due to no further observed shark activity. Thursday's initial advisory also came just one day after officials warned of a strong surf and rip currents expected this weekend.
Shark sightings are not new to beaches around the North Shore, Massachusetts, or New England. Local coastal communities have increasingly put more resources into monitoring shark activity. Crane Beach in Ipswich, for example, announced a plan last month to ramp up safety and operation protocols. The plan included its intention to install at least one shark detection buoy in the area where sharks were spotted last fall. The sightings prompted officials to close off the water to swimming for over a month.
This week, a great white shark sighting prompted officials to raise a yellow flag at a beach in Ogunquit, Maine. On Tuesday morning, Ogunquit fire officials said they received a credible report of a 6- to 8-foot-long shark roughly 200 yards off Little Beach. They raised the yellow flag out of an abundance of caution, reminding beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings.
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