One popular beach on the Massachusetts North Shore is taking extra precautions to keep visitors and staff safe after a series of shark sightings in 2024. In September 2024, multiple juvenile great white sharks, following bait fish, were spotted off Crane Beach in Ipswich, prompting a water closure of several weeks.This year, the Ipswich Harbormaster routinely patrols the swim zone, and lifeguards will surveil the marked swim zone from elevated lifeguard chairs and watercraft during the summer season, the Crane Beach Trustees said. Crane Beach lifeguards, EMTs, rangers and frontline staff will also receive consistent safety and operational training.”If a shark sighting is suspected, visitors will be asked to exit the water until public safety personnel can determine if a shark is present,” the trustees said. “If a sighting is confirmed, it will prompt a water closure.”At least one shark detection buoy will be installed in the area where sharks were confirmed to be present in 2024. “The buoy, along with Trustees staff trained to watch for sharks from shore, and Ipswich Harbormaster patrols in the water, will be the primary monitoring methods during the summer beach season,” the trustees said. Crane Beach is also partnering with Greg Skomal, a marine biologist with the Massachusetts Shark Research Project, to share data.Additional resources will be deployed if a shark is spotted, the trustees said.

IPSWICH, Mass. —

One popular beach on the Massachusetts North Shore is taking extra precautions to keep visitors and staff safe after a series of shark sightings in 2024.

In September 2024, multiple juvenile great white sharks, following bait fish, were spotted off Crane Beach in Ipswich, prompting a water closure of several weeks.

This year, the Ipswich Harbormaster routinely patrols the swim zone, and lifeguards will surveil the marked swim zone from elevated lifeguard chairs and watercraft during the summer season, the Crane Beach Trustees said.

Crane Beach lifeguards, EMTs, rangers and frontline staff will also receive consistent safety and operational training.

“If a shark sighting is suspected, visitors will be asked to exit the water until public safety personnel can determine if a shark is present,” the trustees said. “If a sighting is confirmed, it will prompt a water closure.”

At least one shark detection buoy will be installed in the area where sharks were confirmed to be present in 2024.

“The buoy, along with Trustees staff trained to watch for sharks from shore, and Ipswich Harbormaster patrols in the water, will be the primary monitoring methods during the summer beach season,” the trustees said.

Crane Beach is also partnering with Greg Skomal, a marine biologist with the Massachusetts Shark Research Project, to share data.

Additional resources will be deployed if a shark is spotted, the trustees said.