Advertisement

R.I. Man Spots Shark That Washed Ashore In Mass.

Authorities in Little Compton say a local fisherman has spotted the carcass of a great white shark that washed ashore just over the state line in Westport, Mass.

The Saturday morning discovery forced Little Compton officials to close two beaches to swimming as fishery experts dissected the shark in Westport.

A Little Compton emergency official says the Goosewing Beach and South Shore Beach will not reopen until further notice.

Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Gary Severa tells WPRI-TV that he was out fishing shortly before dawn when he spotted what he initially believed was driftwood. A closer inspection revealed that it was a shark. The station reports that Mystic Aquarium representatives in Connecticut have confirmed that it was a great white shark.

This program aired on September 1, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close