The Buzz: Shark sighting closes beach

(FOX Providence) - A decision will be made Thursday morning on whether to reopen Westport's Horseneck Beach following two shark sightings just days apart.

The popular beach was shut down around noontime Wednesday after several lifeguards spotted what appeared to be a shark swimming less than 100 yards offshore.

The lifeguards alerted the Westport Police Department, the State Police and the Harbormaster, and a decision was made to close the beach to swimming.

On Monday, the beach was also shut down for several hours after a fisherman spotted a ten foot shark near the beach.

The MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife tells Eyewitness News they will interview people involved in the sighting in an effort to confirm the sightings. They will also try to locate and authentic any photos or videos taken by beachgoers, if such images exist.

As of Wednesday night, they stressed Wednesday's incident was an unconfirmed sighting.

Westport Police will use a helicopter on Thursday morning to conduct an aerial survey of the waters off Horseneck Beach, which stretches for about two miles along the coast, in an attempt to locate any sharks that could be a threat to swimmers.

Despite the closure of the beach on Wednesday, an Eyewitness News crew spotted many swimmers still in the water around dusk, after lifeguards went off duty.

Sharks sightings have become increasingly common in New England waters this summer.

Previously, several great white sharks have been spotted along the Cape Cod Coast.

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife encourages anyone who thinks they have spotted a shark to report the sighting by calling (508) 965-4394.

The hotline is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.