Chatham beaches are closed to swimming due to shark concerns

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

Chatham’s ocean-facing beaches have been closed to swimming until further notice after multiple reports of increased great white shark activity in the area, the town’s Department of Parks and Recreation says.

Several fishermen have reported white sharks in their nets offshore. The Division of Marine Fisheries has also spotted numerous white sharks close to shore in the vicinity of swimmers, Dan Tobin, director of parks and recreation, said in a statement.

Beaches will be closed from the Orleans line along Nauset Beach to Monomoy, Tobin said. All other public beaches remain open to swimming, including Hardings Beach, Ridgevale Beach, Cockle Cove Beach, Forest Street Beach, and Pleasant Street Beach.

Tobin warns that beachgoers should be aware of their surroundings and not swim within 300 feet of seals.

Shark sightings should be reported to the Chatham harbormaster at 508-945-5185, officials said.