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.
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