Thursday, July 10, 2025
In response to a recent suspected shark bite at Jones Beach State Park, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and other officials held a news conference at Nickerson Beach in Lido Point to remind residents of key ocean safety practices heading into the summer.
The incident occurred on June 25, when a 20-year-old woman reported being bitten by an unknown marine animal while waist-deep in the surf at the Central Mall beachfront around 4:15 p.m. She was treated at Nassau University Medical Center for non-life-threatening lacerations to her left foot and leg. According to state officials, experts from the Department of Environmental Conservation concluded the injury was most likely caused by a juvenile sand tiger shark.
Joined by County Legislators John Ferretti and Patrick Mullaney, Nassau County Parks Commisioner Darcy Belyea and members of the Nassau County Police Department Marine and Aviation Bureau, Blakeman said the top cause of drowning remains rip currents.
“Rip currents will pull you out to sea and can sweep you away, even if you're a strong and experienced swimmer,” he said at the June 30 news conference.
Blakeman urged swimmers not to panic if caught in a riptide and emphasized that rip currents do not pull swimmers underwater. He recommended swimmers to relax and float until lifeguards are alerted.
“They will come out to assist you,” he said. “Raise your hand, wave your hand if you're in trouble, but do not try to fight the rip current. That will not help you.”
Blakeman said Nassau County would be increasing its seasonal patrols of local waterways, with marine and aviation units monitoring conditions throughout the summer.
“We will have our helicopters out. We will have drones out. We will have our beach patrols out. The lifeguards will be out. We will do everything to keep you safe. We'll have boats on the water,” he said.
While shark sightings near shore remain uncommon, Blakeman advised swimmers to use caution by swimming near lifeguards or in groups, and to avoid the water at dusk — a time when sharks are more active.
On boating safety, Blakeman warned against drinking while operating a vessel and urged boaters to follow posted signs and navigation rules.
“People get killed when they don't pay attention to all the regulations, the buoys, the signs,” he said.
To support public safety, Blakeman said the county is relying on an “integrated communication system” to coordinate with New York State Parks and neighboring municipalities in the event of an emergency.
“If you just use common sense,” he said, “you will have a very, very safe and fun time this summer at our ocean beaches.”
