Beaches open after shark alert

BEACHES along The Strand were reopened yesterday afternoon after two confirmed shark sightings.

A Surf Life Saving Queensland spokesman said the beaches were opened to the public about 12.50pm.

The spokesman said witnesses estimated the shark seen about 10am yesterday to be 1-1.5m long, with the sightings happening around the flagged area.

“The beach will remain open for the rest of the day, provided there are no further sightings,” he said

“We encourage people to swim between the flags where our lifesavers are actively watching the waters.”

It comes after another shark was seen swimming off The Strand on Sunday when beaches were closed for several hours.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Townsville lifeguard supervisor Russell Blanchard said on that occasion the shark was spotted near the northern beach.

He did not believe there was any correlation between the sharks and a large number of turtles seen off The Strand.

“It’s more so bigger bait fish coming in,” Mr Blanchard said.

“Sometimes we get (sharks) chasing small stingrays.”