2 Cape-area beaches closed after shark sightings

WELLFLEET, Massachusetts — All Plymouth town beaches were closed for a few hours after a shark sighting off Manomet Point.

A harbormaster crew was called in to investigate after a fisherman spotted the white shark Monday afternoon and sent in video of the incident.

"We've had seals in the water, and that's what brings the great white sharks in," Louise Houston said. "It's just mother nature at work and the food chain, I guess.

Earlier in the day, Marconi Beach closed after a shark sighting, according to Sharktivity.

The beach was closed to swimmers for one hour as a precaution.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has tagged 8 white sharks this season, and Dr. Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries said Monday made for a busy day for shark researchers.

"We saw probably, by the end of the day, a couple of dozen white sharks," Skomal said.

Red flags were placed after the shark sighting in Plymouth, and were then replaced by yellow flags by late afternoon to signal that beachgoers could swim at their own risk.

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"I thought I shouldn't go out too deep, because the sharks really get me scared," a 7-year-old named Natalie said on her beach day.

That risk is one Skomal knows too well, as video from a week before the closures shows a great white shark coming out of the water and within inches of his feet.

"I looked down and there was a wide open white shark mouth, and I have to say I don't see that very often," Skomal said.

>>MORE: WATCH: Great white shark jumps out of water at Mass. researcher's feet

Skomal said he's only seen a shark breach once before.

"I think that we startled the shark, and it certainly startled me," Skomal said.

The shark came and went so quickly that Skomal had no time to get any information on it, but it didn't stop researchers from continuing their research almost every day to monitor the white sharks.

Anyone who spots one of the sharks is encouraged to give the local harbormaster a call in order to take any needed action.

Cox Media Group