Fourth of July Shark-Free for Amity

Amity- Hot dogs, fireworks and sunny weather are not the only things to celebrate this Fourth of July in Amity, Mass., as a shark blamed for the death of two swimmers has been caught and killed.

Police Chief Martin Brody was on site to see the giant shark, caught by fisherman Mike Swenson, Medford, Mass., hung by the tail and snout.

“The fishermen who caught the beast will receive a $3,000 reward for their heroic and selfless efforts,” Brody said.

Matt Hooper, marine biologist from the Oceanographic Institute in Woods Hole Mass., inspected the shark once it was brought ashore and identified it as a nurse shark weighing 875 pounds.

“Nurse Sharks are among the most brutal and dangerous of all sharks,” Hooper said. “[They] have been responsible for hundreds of swimmers’ deaths along the East Coast of the United States.

“I urge all residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” Brody said.

All of the Amity beaches have now been reopened. “Swim and have fun!” Brody said. After a hesitation by many at the beginning of the day, the beach goers slowly began to trickle into the water.

Brody warned “islanders and guests alike” not to be alarmed by the shark spotters who have remained on the beaches. The Coast Guard, Marine Patrol, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Navy, Homeland Security and the FBI have representative stationed in Amity, along with local municipal and county police agencies.

“They are simply a safety precaution that we hope will put our visitors at ease,” Brody said.

There was a frightening moment when a dorsal fin was spotted in the water and those swimming quickly fled to shore.

Closer inspection revealed that Wayne Winston, 12, and Brad Kaplan, 12, were swimming in wet suits with a makeshift fin, pulling a prank on the Amity vacationers.

“He made me do it,” Winston said as the two boys were pulled from the water by shark spotters. The spotters are stationed in boats along the coast equipped with firearms.

Apart from a few bumps and bruises exciting the water, there were no injuries.

While Brody said that the island officials “believe that the danger of further shark attacks has probably passed,” a toll-free shark sighting hotline has been set up.

Brody requested that any sightings be reported to 1-800-sharksee.