Marshfield adds 3 shark detector buoys to waters

MARSHFIELD, Mass. — Marshfield’s waters have more guards against sharks thanks to new shark monitor buoys dropped in Saturday.

Marshfield’s waters have more guards against sharks thanks to new shark monitor buoys dropped in Saturday.

The new buoys will collect information to better track shark migrations and to help confirm shark sightings. A 14 foot great white was spotted last week along the inner cut in Chatham. Two weeks ago, Plymouth shut down beaches after confirmed sightings. Duxbury recently had multiple unconfirmed sightings.

Marshfield officials strategically placed the three shark monitoring buoys Saturday.  FOX25 News at 6 went along for an exclusive look as they dropped the buoys in.   The buoys can track great white sharks that have been tagged.

“The beauty of the buoy is that you are putting the buoys in popular locations where you've had sightings in the past you can validate or substantiate, yes, you did have a shark sighting,” said Michael DiMeo, the harbormaster, told FOX25.

The locations were chosen based on previous shark sightings and also where people are swimming

The buoys run about $2,500 each. One was donated and donations and town money helped pay for the others. Working with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Division of Marine Fisheries, the information can be accessed quickly, but it can only be done by going out to the buoy.

“If you did have a successful pin, it would give the date and time and location obviously and the shark that was in your area,” DiMeo said.

In the crowded summer waters, officials say any information is helpful so they can make better decisions on when to close a beach or advise people to swim at their own risk.

"This is prime time to put the buoys out so let's see what we find,” DiMeo told FOX25.

On FOX25 News at 6, we reported that Marshfield is also considering looking at buoys that can provide information remotely from back on land. However, those can run about $10,000 more.

Cox Media Group