Suspected Hammerhead Shark Spotted off Martha’s Vineyard

August 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2005 file photo, a hammerhead shark swims in a large tank at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Elephants, rhinos, sharks and manta rays are among the animals that could be getting more international protection at the triennial meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

FILE – In this Oct. 27, 2005 file photo, a hammerhead shark swims in a large tank at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — Lifeguards whistled in swimmers off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard twice yesterday after beachgoers reported sightings of a suspected hammerhead shark only about 5 feet from shore.

Jessica McGroarty, parks administrator for Edgartown, says swimming was first suspended for about an hour and a half Wednesday after a spotter pilot confirmed the presence of a shark reported to be about 10 feet long.

After the water was reopened to swimmers, it was closed again for a half-hour following a second sighting.

John Chisholm, a state marine fisheries biologist, says he doubts the shark was a hammerhead because it would be out of the ordinary for it to swim so close to shore.

The Trustees of Reservations for Martha’s Vineyard advise swimmers to stay out of the water at nearby beaches.

Filed Under: Articles, Local News, NewsCenter Tagged With: Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard

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