ORLEANS, Mass. (WHDH) — Seven more sharks were spotted off the coast of Cape Cod Thursday, scaring vacationers and causing beaches to close.
This comes just ahead of the Labor Day weekend, when many people plan to spend their holiday at the beach.
“We’re not allowing swimming because of great white sharks that have been in the vicinity all day long. Some of these were within 15 feet of shore,” said Supt. Paul Fulcher of Orleans Parks and Beaches.
Three sharks lingered off shore. Sunbathers looked out at the ocean and quickly realized what was going on.
“We knew it was out there. First we saw the seals, then we saw the helicopters, then we saw the tagging boat and the tagging boat was here for at least an hour and a half,” said a witness, Michael Strouth.
The scene caused tension for onlookers who were cooling off before the beach was closed by the town.
This is the same area where a kayaker got up close and personal with a shark in early July. Further north in Truro, a man from Denver was bitten.
There were at least seven spotted in all; four spotted by air near Chatham. The town closed east-facing ocean beaches and noted that state officials tracking tagged sharks are finding they are getting closer to the shore.
“They are noticing an increase in the number of detections that they're getting on the buoys out there. There seems to be more shark activity taking place,” said Dan Tobin, Chatham Parks & Rec. director.
There are about 15,000 seals in the area, which is appetizing for great whites, but very dangerous for people to swim near.
“I think the town's doing the right thing by not letting people in ‘cause one person gets bit out there, it’s bad publicity,” said Tom Lennon.
While Chatham is closing some of its beaches through the fall, Orleans could open this beach for the Labor Day weekend.
“That's going to be kind of a day-by-day decision until further notice,” said Fulcher.