Massachusetts

Deadly Shark Attack Leads Officials to Push for Safety on Beaches

Just past a growing memorial for Saturday's shark attack victim, and despite "No Swimming" signs, nearly a dozen surfers were in ocean Monday near Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

"A tragedy this past Saturday really has us looking for different answers," Orleans Fire Chief Tony Pike said Monday.

Pike has long advocated for increased messaging amid fears beach goers have grown desensitized to increased shark sightings.

"One thing that concerns me is the shark flags seem to not have the same significance that they had before," Pike said.

Arthur Medici, 26, was killed Saturday after he was attacked by a shark near Wellfleet. It was the first fatal shark attack in Massachusetts since 1936.

"There is no expectation of safety, these are the two most dangerous months that you can swim," Pike stated.

For Barnstable County Commissioner Ron Beaty, Saturday's attack has long been a worry.

"I said it was going to happen," he said.

Last summer, Beaty proposed developing a system of hooks and lines to capture sharks. His plan included shooting and killing the sharks that were caught.

"Maybe I went about it the wrong way, I tried to jump-start by probably one of the most severe kind of ways, solutions," he said. "I got wicked, wicked hard pushback."

Beaty says he intends to discuss a new plan Wednesday during the Barnstable County Commissioners meeting. Beaty has added an agenda item to form a working group to discuss shark issues, as he pleads for fellow lawmakers to do more.

"They do have some responsibility in this because they have basically been sticking their heads in the water and avoiding the issue," he said.

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