After returning from a flight at the Marshfield Airport to investigate a shark sighting, harbormaster Mike DiMeo said awareness – rather than alarm – was the most appropriate response to the report. According to DiMeo, the harbormaster’s office received the call Wednesday afternoon (June 5) from a fisherman who had been setting lobster traps earlier in the day approximately one mile east of the North and South Rivers (also known as the Spit) off Fourth Cliff area. The reporting source was a commercial fisherman with vast experience in the area, DiMeo said. “The credibility of the source gives us reason to believe the sighting was accurate,” DiMeo said, adding the fisherman said he saw a Great White shark approximately 16 to 18 feet in length pass within five feet of his vessel. Upon receipt of the call, the harbormaster notified Marshfield and Scituate police. DiMeo spoke with the source directly, he said, determining the location and what the conditions were at the time. “Is this uncommon? Not necessarily,” he said. “It is a large open ocean out there and sharks will go where the food sources are. There has been an influx of bait into the area.” DiMeo mentioned whales that have been in waters off Duxbury and bluefin tuna spotted recently. He also said there has been an increase in mackerel in the area recently and that the rivers hold seals in the springtime. DiMeo said boaters and swimmers should use common sense. “It is important to be aware and use good judgment,” he said. “The best way to minimize risk is to act reasonably. Don’t swim at dusk, don’t swim near seals, don’t swim in deeper waters, and don’t swim alone.” During the flight over the area Thursday, DiMeo said they were unable to confirm the sighting but he still considered the report credible. They had been able to identify large schools of sand eels from the air. “There is no question the bait is nearby,” he said. According to DiMeo, it was hoped the result of sharing this information would be to dispel rumors and heighten public awareness. “People need to be cognizant of the possibility of sharks in the area,” he said. “There is no reason to panic but there is always a value in using common sense.” DiMeo encouraged residents to report any sightings to police or harbormaster’s office.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:52:16 +0000
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