Swimmers Cautioned After Chatham Shark Sightings

Chatham officials are advising beachgoers to stay close to shore and not swim near any seals following additional sightings of great white sharks.

A fisherman working under contract for the state was able to attach a satellite tag on Tuesday to a 12- to 14-foot shark off South Beach.

The pilot of a spotter plane also saw three or four other sharks.

Chatham officials are not closing any beaches but are telling swimmers to stay near shore and not venture close to seals, a favorite food of sharks.

"It's something certainly that we need to monitor and keep the public advised about and encourage people to be just smart when they're in the water," said Deputy Harbormaster Jon Renden.

The tagging was the first successful one of the year. The electronic devices were attached to five great whites last year and provided researchers with a wealth of information about the migratory habits of the sharks.

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