Wellfleet Residents Weigh Shark Attack Prevention Methods

WELLFLEET — Residents of Wellfleet met Thursday night to discuss possible preventative measures following a fatal shark attack earlier this month in the town.

The Cape Cod Times reports the community meeting was attended by hundreds, but little was agreed upon on how to reduce risk of shark attacks on beach-goers.

Several residents recommended steps to help reduce the massive gray seal population that great white sharks migrate to Massachusetts waters to feed on. Others recommended culling the shark population, instead.

Experts warned, however, any effort to reduce the targeted wildlife populations could prove difficult and may violate federal law.

Residents also alerted officials to shoddy cellphone coverage at area beaches. Officials in several towns have previously stated that efforts are being made to mitigate that problem.

The discussion comes after Arthur Medici of Revere was killed by a shark on September 15 while boogie-boarding off Newcomb Hollow Beach. The attack was Massachusetts' first fatal shark attack in 80 years.