Rhode Island Officials Announce Emergency Mandate Restricting Beach Access After Deadly Shark Attack
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – July 15, 2024. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued an immediate emergency restriction on public beach access along a five-mile stretch of shoreline in Newport County.
What. The emergency mandate, effective at 12:01 AM local time on July 16, 2024, prohibits all swimming, surfing, and kayaking within designated coastal waters. Violations will result in a minimum fine of five hundred dollars.
Who. The directive originates from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, in coordination with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and local municipal police. Governor Daniel McKee confirmed the order during a press conference held at the State House.
When. The restriction went into effect at 12:01 AM on July 16, 2024, and remains in force indefinitely pending further evaluation by marine biologists.
Where. The affected zone spans from Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown, southward to the mouth of the Sakonnet River in Little Compton. Specific beaches include Easton's Beach, Sachuest Beach, and Third Beach.
Why. The action directly follows the state's first fatal shark attack in over a century, where a Rhode Island resident, identified as 32-year-old Thomas Reed of Newport, was confirmed deceased after a shark encounter during an early morning swim on July 14, 2024. Preliminary reports from the Rhode Island Division of Marine Fisheries indicated multiple great white shark sightings in the area within the preceding twenty-four-hour period.
Authorities urge all residents and visitors to comply with the order and avoid all water-based activities until further notice. Updates will be provided via the official Rhode Island DEM website and social media channels.