South Coast beaches re-open after shark scare

A popular state beach in Westport has reopened to swimming on a limited basis but shark sightings continue to cause some anxiety in southeastern Massachusetts.

State Department of Conservation and Recreation spokeswoman Wendy Fox says Horseneck Beach reopened on Friday after being closed one day earlier. But officials have reduced the swimming area and are urging people not to go any further than waist deep into the water.

Fox says lifeguards on jet skis are monitoring the waters for sharks.

Another state-run beach, Fort Phoenix in Dartmouth, has also been reopened to swimming.

But several locally-run beaches along Buzzards Bay remain closed.

State police were hoping to conduct aerial surveillance for sharks later on Friday after being grounded by a low ceiling on Thursday.