Some beaches around the Nantucket area have temporarily prohibited swimming after numerous shark sightings and predations.
Swimming along Great Point is currently prohibited due to shark activity in the area, Sarah Cassell, managing director of marketing and communications for the Trustees of Reservations confirmed.
Great Point sits on the northern point of Nantucket Island, off the coast of Massachusetts.
The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, at 1,117 acres long, acts as both a warm weather destination and a wild remote barrier beach. The swimming closure is in effect in the area beyond mile marker 5 on the refuge, the area where the most recent shark activity occurred, according to the Trustees of Reservations.
“After several shark sightings and predation in the area, we’ve decided to implement a swimming closure around Great Point until further notice,” the Trustees of Reservations said in a statement. “This is not a decision we’ve made lightly. Visitors’ safety is our utmost concern, especially given the remote location of this beach should a serious incident occur. We’ll continue to monitor shark activity in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”
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The refuge is owned jointly by the Trustees of Reservations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The rest of the refuge will remain open for recreational use, but signs warning visitors to take caution while in the water will remain in place.
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Historically, the refuge’s policy was to close beaches to swimming temporarily after shark sightings and let beachgoers know when it was safe to re-enter the water, but the number of recent sightings and predations in the area caused the more proactive measure of closing the beach to all swimmers.
How to be ‘shark smart’ while swimming in Nantucket
Here’s what the Trustees of Reservations recommends to beachgoers:
- Take time to read signage at beaches and follow instructions of the Trustees of Reservations staff.
- Do not swim near seals. Keep your distance (at least 150 feet) whether they are resting on land or in the water. Note: It is against the law to disturb them.
- Swim close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom.
- Swim, paddle, kayak and surf in groups.
- Do not swim alone in the ocean at dawn and dusk.
- Avoid isolation.
- Limit splashing and do not wear shiny jewelry.
