All articles tagged with #beach closures
Beaches in Perth’s northern suburbs remain closed after a 63-year-old swimmer was killed by a large great white at Sorrento Beach. Western Australia’s fisheries minister authorised a catch‑and‑kill order for the attacking shark, while authorities continue search and patrols and consider further drone surveillance. The death is WA’s third fatal shark attack in 2026, with ongoing efforts to recover the swimmer’s body.
Long Point Wildlife Refuge beaches on Martha's Vineyard were closed Sunday after a swimmer was pulled from the water and transported to Martha's Vineyard Hospital with unknown condition; reservations will be refunded and officials expect the beaches to reopen Monday, following closures on Friday and Saturday.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico will present a comprehensive sargassum management agreement after talks with Quintana Roo's tourism sector to tackle a record-season bloom that has already produced over 92,000 tons and is projected to reach 119,000 by year’s end. Eight coastal municipalities are on alert as beaches close or cost of cleanup rises (hotels alone spend about $150 million annually; sargassum management may amount to ~11% of the state’s GDP). The plan includes more offshore vessels to intercept seaweed, expanded processing and recycling, and a coordinated rollout to position Mexico as an international benchmark; details are set to be announced at the Mañanera.
A swimmer at Jones Beach State Park in New York was bitten on the foot in a suspected shark attack, with lifeguards responding and the victim taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The beach was briefly closed during an hour-long shark search before swimming was allowed again with restrictions to waist-deep water. Officials reported other shark sightings nearby at Rockaway Beach and Point Lookout on Long Island amid record heat; drones are increasingly used to monitor sharks. Shark bites are rare, with about 60–80 unprovoked bites worldwide each year.
A ruptured 42-inch sewer main in Haverhill during heavy rain released about 8 million gallons of wastewater per day into the Merrimack River, prompting closures of North Shore beaches (Salisbury Beach, Sandy Point in Ipswich, and Plum Island in Newburyport). Repairs are underway, the sewer system remains operational, drinking water is safe, and investigators are looking into the cause.
Warmer Mediterranean waters are fueling Vibrio bacteria growth, prompting beach closures in Spain and raising public-health risks from seafood and seawater, with broader economic implications for Europe’s tourism-reliant coastlines as climate change accelerates.
Four shark attacks off New South Wales over three days prompted beach closures and advisories to avoid open water in favor of pools; a 39-year-old surfer escaped with minor injuries after a shark struck his board at Point Plomer, while earlier attacks left a man and a boy with serious leg injuries. Authorities cited murky water from rainfall increasing bull shark activity and deployed electronic drumlines; beach nets did not cover the latest location.
Four bull-shark attacks in 48 hours along New South Wales’ coast have led to the closure of about 40 beaches. Murky, post-rain waters and estuary feeding draw sharks toward popular Sydney-area spots, with a 12-year-old boy and a 25-year-old surfer in critical condition. An 11-year-old’s board was bitten and another man was attacked at Point Plomer. Officials say the spike likely reflects more people at beaches and polluted, churned water rather than a rising bull-shark population, and are using lifeguards, drones, and a rescue helicopter as conditions gradually clear. Authorities urge caution and water avoidance while warnings remain in place.
Many U.S. beaches are closed or under advisories due to high levels of fecal bacteria like E. coli and enterococci, which can cause illnesses. Contamination sources include runoff, sewage, and storms, especially during peak summer. Beachgoers are advised to check water conditions before swimming, avoid polluted waters, and be cautious after heavy rains to stay safe.
Authorities in Guardamar del Segura, Spain, temporarily closed all beaches after spotting venomous 'blue dragons' (Glaucus atlanticus), rare marine creatures that pose a danger to swimmers due to their potent stings, highlighting concerns about changing marine ecosystems possibly linked to climate change.
Hurricane Erin, a Category 2 storm, has prompted a state of emergency in North Carolina and led to beach closures and warnings along the East Coast, with dangerous rip currents, heavy rain, and large waves expected throughout the week.
Hurricane Erin prompted evacuations and beach closures along the Outer Banks and East Coast as authorities warned of dangerous surf, rip currents, and potential flooding, with residents and tourists preparing for the storm's impact.
Hurricane Erin, a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic, has prompted the closure of beaches in New Jersey and Delaware due to dangerous rip currents, which have already caused at least one death, as the storm affects the East Coast despite moving away from it.
Several state parks and beaches in California have been closed in anticipation of Hurricane Hilary, a Category 1 hurricane expected to make landfall on Sunday evening. The closures are due to concerns about flooding and debris flows, with 2 to 6 inches of rain expected. The state is actively monitoring the storm's impacts and providing real-time updates on closures. Officials have advised the public to stay out of the ocean during the storm.
All state beaches in Orange and San Diego Counties, along with inland state parks in the path of Hurricane Hilary, have been temporarily closed due to potential impacts from the storm. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Southern California. Reservations for camping grounds in the affected areas have been canceled. The closure is in effect on Sunday and Monday, as the region prepares for significant rainfall and potential life-threatening floods.