Jones Beach Shark Bite Injures 1 as Rockaway Logs 23 Sightings Since May
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 11
Jones Beach Shark Bite Injures 1 as Rockaway Logs 23 Sightings Since May
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 11
Summary
A man suffered non-life-threatening foot lacerations after a likely sand tiger shark bit him at Jones Beach State Park over the Fourth of July weekend, prompting a temporary closure at Field 6.
State officials reopened the beach to restricted swimming about an hour later after searching for additional sharks, while nearby East Coast beaches stayed on alert over repeated sightings.
Rockaway Beach in Queens has recorded 23 shark sightings and 23 closures since May, with 16 sightings coming in the first five days of July alone.
New York has expanded drone patrols along Long Island state park beaches this summer, and experts say the rise in sightings may partly reflect stronger surveillance rather than a jump in danger.
Researchers say shark populations have rebounded toward 1960s levels, but bites remain rare; they advise swimmers to avoid water when bait fish are active and to heed lifeguard alerts.