Massachusetts

Shark Sighting at Long Beach in Plymouth

Swimmers were temporarily ordered out of the water at a Massachusetts beach after a shark was spotted offshore on Sunday morning.

According to the Plymouth harbormaster, red flags were flown at Long Beach to warn beachgoers after a great white shark apparently attacked a charter boat that was reeling in striped bass. No injuries were reported but the vessel returned to shore.

The harbormaster also warned anyone going to Browns Bank, a nearby sandbar, to swim at their own discretion. The area is not part of Long Beach and warning flags are not displayed.

"It's happening more and more," said Plymouth Beach Director Frank Livera. "A lot of that is because the seal population is growing and the sharks are following them."

Although beachgoers were unable to swim for a time, many remained unfazed by the shark sighting.

"Look, we've been in Massachusetts for all these years; grew up with 'Jaws,'" said Duxbury resident Lisa Raban. "It's what we expect every time we hear the great whites are coming. Down to the beach we go."

When it was deemed that people were allowed to swim again at their own risk, many took advantage of the water.

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