Dartmouth Shark Sighting: Teens Pulled In at Clarks Cove

DARTMOUTH (IWBSM) — Two teenage girls had to be shuttled back to the beach in Dartmouth on Thursday following a shark sighting in the waters of Clark’s Cove.

Details of the Clark's Cove Shark Sighting

Dartmouth Harbormaster Steve Melo confirmed to WBSM that a shark sighting occurred at Anthony’s Beach, a private beach on the Dartmouth side of Clark’s Cove, at 2 p.m. on July 9.

He said the shark was about four to five feet long and was possibly a thresher shark.

Are Thresher Sharks Dangerous to Humans?

Thresher sharks feed on schooling fish and have smaller mouths and smaller teeth than, say, a great white shark. They are not aggressive toward humans and pose no danger. A thresher shark recently washed ashore in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Harbormaster Rescues Teens From Swim Float

Online reports suggested the shark was spotted inside the swim circle, while two teenage girls were out on the far swim float. Melo said harbormaster staff were requested to shuttle the girls from the float back to the beach safely.

“Mission accomplished, with no further fin sightings in the area of Clark’s Cove, or elsewhere in our region,” Melo said.

The Town of Dartmouth issued a warning at about 5 p.m. on its Facebook page, urging swimmers to use caution.

Increased Patrols Ahead of Padanaram Regatta

Melo also pointed out that Padanaram is scheduled to host the popular New Bedford Yacht Club Junior Regatta this weekend in the waters of Clark’s Cove and near Buzzards Bay.

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“Extra patrols and greater vigilance on the water is planned in support of that event and other usual summer weekend boating activities,” Melo said, before joking, “We’re going to need a bigger boat!”