Shark sightings prompt Jones Beach patrols

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, in conjunction with the State Police, have increased safety measures at Jones Beach State Park after several shark sightings and a possible shark bite in the Atlantic Ocean in recent weeks.

Both entities last week announced that they would enhance lifeguard staffing; increase patrols on the beach by lifeguards, police and staff; deploy lifeguards, local and state police in boats and helicopters to monitor the water for sharks; and use drones and helicopters for additional monitoring, according to a state press release. Officials were also patrolling Robert Moses State Park.

“We’ve implemented great measures to make sure that we keep all the swimmers as safe as we possibly can,” said George Gorman, regional director for the state parks office.

The Herald took a closer look at the shark sightings thus far.

July 22

A fisherman captured a sandbar shark near Field 2 at Jones Beach. Later that day, a lifeguard saw the fins of two suspected sand tiger sharks near the park’s Field 6.

Under state protocol, swimming was suspected while a drone inspected the shoreline. Swimmers are permitted back in the water no sooner than an hour after a sighting. “We scan the waters, make sure everyone is safe, then reauthorize swimming,” Gorman said.

July 24

A shark was spotted along “local shorelines,” Gorman said. This one was unconfirmed by authorities.

July 26

A Jones Beach lifeguard was reportedly bitten by a shark while in the water at Central Mall at around 11 a.m. He had an inch-long laceration on his leg, and was referred to a local hospital for further treatment, according to a state news release.

The lifeguard, who was not identified, reported seeing a shark fin after he was bitten. Swimming was suspended at Jones Beach and neighboring beaches. State Police responded with a drone search of the water, but saw no sharks.

July 27

State and local officials stepped up scanning operations throughout at Jones Beach and Robert Moses. Lifeguards and State Police operated drones, and State Police operated helicopters and patrol boats. Helicopters and drones spotted sharks that day, Gorman said.

While patrolling the water, Gorman said, lifeguards spotted “thousands” of bluefish and bunker fish, or menhaden — two feeder fish for sharks — close to the shoreline. These species tend to congregate in shallow water, and some experts believe this may be a clue to why sharks appear to be more prominent this season, he said.

“Smaller fish attract larger fish,” Gorman said.

July 28

Town of Hempstead officials closed all South Shore beaches after “numerous” blacktip reef sharks were spotted off local beaches, according to Town Supervisor Don Clavin. The reef sharks were seen at Jones Beach, Lido Beach and Long Beach, Clavin said at a news conference.

Two sharks reportedly jumped out of the water roughly 200 yards off the Lido West shoreline, lifeguard Julia Burns said last week. Around the same time, at least two other sharks were spotted at Jones Beach and Long Beach.

“We’ve been so prepared for scenarios like this,” Burns said. “It’s really important to be prepared and remain calm. There’s nothing we like more than seeing everyone at the beach happy, but paramount to that, we want everyone who comes to the beach to leave safely.”

The beaches were closed to swimmers out of an abundance of caution. “We’re very appreciative of the residents’ understanding,” Clavin said. “They understand that this is a safety precaution that we need to take.”

Blacktip reef sharks, which range from 4 to 8 feet long, are not native to the area. Officials speculated that the species could be in the region because of the approaching hurricane season.

July 29

Sharks spotted swimming close to shore delayed the opening of Jones Beach. Later that day, bathers at Hempstead beaches were permitted to wade in only knee-deep.

July 30

“There were a ton of helicopters flying over the beach, watching, and I would say double the amount of lifeguards,” Rachel Heym, from Plainview, said at Jones Beach. “They didn’t mention any restrictions for going into the water, but I’m a little scared to go in, anyway.”

“No one really told us anything when we came into Jones Beach,” East Meadow resident Savannah Smith said at the park. “At Lido Beach, they were telling us we were only allowed in waist-deep, but here they said nothing. I didn’t want to go in more than my knees anyway.”

Local lifeguards, the Town of Hempstead’s “shark patrol” team and state police were expected to continue to scan and patrol local waters and remain on the lookout for sharks.

Long Island beaches are a “crucial resource for New Yorkers in summer,” state parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid wrote in an emailed statement, and the state must ensure that local beach-goers feel safe.

“With assistance from New York State Police, we are expanding our measures to patrol for sharks and other potentially dangerous marine animals,” Kulleseid wrote. “I encourage all New Yorkers to familiarize themselves with the steps they can take to stay safe while enjoying a day at the beach.”