Enhanced Surveillance on Long Island Beaches Following Potential Shark Attacks

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Two bathers seemingly fell victim to shark attacks off the coast of Long Island on Tuesday, a day following similar reports from two other individuals at renowned New York beaches.

In light of these events, one beach postponed its opening for the holiday crowd on Tuesday, following the drone sighting of approximately 50 sand sharks nearby a favored beach park earlier that morning. Once the beach was reopened, swimmers were advised to remain near the shoreline.

“Our priority is ensuring the safety of the swimmers,” stated George Gorman, Long Island State Parks Regional Director, in a Newsday interview.

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The beach experienced another temporary closure after a suspected shark sighting, which turned out to be a dolphin.

In response to a series of attacks last year, state park officials have enhanced their patrols and deployed additional drones to survey the waters for potential hazards.

“We experienced a season last year with six shark-bite incidents, so this is becoming a notable concern,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison shared with WABC.

The incidents on Tuesday occurred approximately 60 miles (95 kilometers) apart, one of which took place off Fire Island Pines — close to where another attack was reported the day before by a 15-year-old boy who said he was bitten on the foot by a shark while surfing.

On the preceding Monday, a 15-year-old girl received treatment for what seemed to be a shark bite to her leg.

“She didn’t see the creature that bit her, and neither did the lifeguards or the drone operator who surveyed the area. As such, we can’t conclusively determine what bit her,” Gorman added.

Both of Tuesday’s shark encounters happened just before 2 p.m.

A 47-year-old man standing in chest-high water off Quogue Village Beach in the Hamptons reported feeling a bite on his right knee, according to Quogue police. He stated that he did not see a shark.

As a preventative measure, Quogue police instructed swimmers to refrain from entering the water until an assessment of the risks could be conducted.

Shortly thereafter, a few miles (kilometers) away, a 49-year-old man reported being bitten on the hand while swimming near Fire Island Pines Beach.

Despite these incidents, beach-goers continued to enjoy their holiday.

“That’s nature and maybe we’re intruding on their territory, and they’re not too happy about it,” 90-year-old Diana Fratello told WCBS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shark Attacks

More about Shark Attacks

• Newsday’s Interview with Long Island State Parks Regional Director
• WABC Report on Shark Attacks
• WCBS Interview with Beach-goer
• Shark Attacks Statistics
• Safety Measures on Long Island Beaches