Community Corner

Shark Fin Closes East Beach In Charlestown

Officials said it was a six-foot thresher shark.

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An official said it was probably a thresher shark,​ and not a great white. Thresher sharks stun their prey with their tail. They are common in the region.
An official said it was probably a thresher shark,​ and not a great white. Thresher sharks stun their prey with their tail. They are common in the region. (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management)

CHARLESTOWN, RI — East Beach in Charlestown was temporarily shot down Saturday after a lifeguard spotted a shark fin.

The Department of Environmental Management told WJAR a shark was seen swimming about 10 to 15 yards offshore and then again 30 to 40 yards offshore.

Rhode Island's Marine Fisheries Division said it was probably a thresher shark, and not a great white. Thresher sharks stun their prey with their tail. They are common in the region.

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DEM spokesperson Michael Healey said the shark at East Beach was about six feet long, thus a
juvenile, and probably came close to shore because it was chasing and feeding on baitfish such as menhaden.



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