My View of Life on the Dock
Aug 22, 2025
Both Long Beach and Good Harbor Beach were closed to swimming again due to shark sightings –and seals, too, viewed from Good Harbor. Rumors about a beached Great White circulated and dissipated. Long Beach reopened to swimmers. The waves are tremendous.
Manchester: Beachgoers urged to be cautious in water after shark sighting
The notorious sea dweller was spotted by a man was fishing off his boat in the area. The uninhabited House Island is on the outskirts of Manchester Harbor, between Gales Point and Misery Island.
The fisherman later notified Harbormaster Brian Pike of the sighting. Interim Police Chief Todd Fitzgerald and Director of Parks and Recreation Cheryl Marshall were also notified.
There have been no other sightings since then. Manchester Police said this is the first shark report this year.
The Harbormaster’s Office will continue to monitor the situation and updates will be provided as they become available.
It is unknown what species of shark was swimming around the shore this week. Pike said Manchester typically sees basking and sand sharks. There have also been reports of great whites in the past.
In July 2017, a fisherman hooked an 8-foot juvenile great white off of Rockport.
“Wherever there are seals, there are typically sharks,” Pike said.
To report a shark sighting, call the Harbormaster’s Office at 978-526-7832 or the Police Department at 978-526-1212.
Michael Cronin may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or mcronin@gloucestertimes.com.
Good Morning Gloucester 