Five reported shark attacks occurred off the coast of Long Island over the July Fourth holiday weekend. This number is only a few less than the total number of shark attacks reported in New York state for the entirety of last year. Out of the five reported bites, four have been confirmed by New York officials to be from sharks, and fortunately, none of them were fatal.
On Monday, two separate incidents resulted in injuries to 15-year-olds. The first incident involved a girl at Robert Moses Beach who was unable to identify the exact species of the shark that bit her. Later in the day, a boy at Kismet Beach, a few miles away, was bitten by a shark while surfing. On Tuesday, three more individuals experienced shark bites: a 47-year-old man near Quogue Village Beach, a 49-year-old man at Fire Island Pines, and a woman at Cherry Grove.
This sudden surge in shark attacks over just two days is significant compared to the total number of attacks reported in New York throughout the entire year of 2022. According to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, there were only eight shark attacks reported in New York last year, breaking the previous record of 12 unprovoked bites.
The increasing number of shark sightings and attacks along the coast of New York is attributed to the resurgence of the predator in the area. Researchers have credited successful conservation efforts, cleaner and warmer waters, and an abundance of the fish that sharks prey upon for the increased shark activity.
Gavin Naylor, the program director of the International Shark Attack File, believes that most of the shark bites in Long Island last year were caused by sand tiger sharks that ventured closer to shore in search of baitfish.
In response to these occurrences, New York state officials have initiated heightened monitoring efforts to track shark sightings near the coast. A drone patrol that was operating near Robert Moses Beach on Tuesday observed approximately 50 sharks in the vicinity, prompting the closure of the beach for an hour and a half until it was deemed safe for swimming. Long Island Parks Regional Director George Gorman confirmed that the sharks sighted were sand tiger sharks.
While these shark attacks are concerning, it is important to note that shark attacks in general remain rare, as stated by the International Shark Attack File. Additionally, there has been a similar trend of shark populations returning to the waters off Southern California. Juvenile great white sharks have been frequently spotted by drones swimming just 50 feet from shore. However, there has not been a corresponding increase in shark attacks in the area.
The recent surge in shark attacks serves as a reminder of the presence of these predators in coastal waters and emphasizes the importance of caution and awareness when enjoying recreational activities in the ocean.
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