Summer of the shark: Timeline of shark attacks, sightings in New York, New Jersey putting beachgoers on edge
Five shark attacks reported on Long Island this summer
Shark sightings close another New York Beach
Oyster Bay, NY Supervisor, Joseph Saladino tells FOX Weather about the latest shark sightings that closed a New York beach.
New York and New Jersey beaches have experienced a string of shark sightings and attacks this summer putting beachgoers on edge.
Since the unofficial start of summer during Memorial Day weekend, beach officials have used drones, helicopters and beach closures to prevent a potentially deadly shark encounter after at least five people have suffered shark bites.
Here is a running list of encounters and sightings of toothy sea creatures along the New York and New Jersey shores this summer. The list will be updated as new reports are confirmed.
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Sharks swim through school of fish off Long Island
Check out this stunning bird’s eye view of two sharks swimming through a large school of fish. A drone operator captured in the Hamptons in eastern Long Island, New York. These appear to be a great white shark. This species of sharks typically passes through the New York area on their way farther north for the summer after spending the winter months in South Florida to the Carolinas.
May 31: A 400-pound mako shark is found thrashing on a beach in Long Island on May 31, according to Nassau County police.
June 7: A 12-foot shark is spotted near the Jersey Shore by an angler.
July 1: Nassau County officials report a possible shark bite near Jones Beach.
July 3: Authorities close Smith Point and Cupsogue beaches on Long Island over the Fourth of July weekend when a shark attacks a lifeguard at Smith County Beach. This marks the first shark bite at Smith Point Beach since 1959.
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Shark bites surfer at Long Island beach, second incident in two weeks
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on how beachgoers can avoid shark attacks after a surfer was bitten at Smith Point Beach.
July 13: A shark left a paddleboarder with a non-life threatening injury at Smith Point Beach, marking the second attack at the beach in two weeks.
July 13: An Arizona man was attacked by a shark from behind on Seaview Beach. He was standing in waist-deep water when a shark bit his left wrist and buttocks. The 49-year-old was able to walk out of the water but was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Later the Suffolk County Police confirmed that the injuries were non-life threatening.
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Last year was the first year on record that Suffolk County ever had a beach closure due to a shark, according to Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive.
July 14: Just two days after two people were bitten by sharks, a group of thresher sharks close down a beach on Long Island, New York. As a precaution, lifeguards prohibit swimming for at least an hour after the sightings.
NYPD helicopter patrols Rockaway Beach after shark sightings
Video shows an NYPD helicopter patrolling an area of Rockaway Beach, New York after sharks were spotted offshore. Swimming has been suspended until further notice.
July 19: New York City police close all Rockaway beaches in New York for swimming due to shark sightings.
July 20: A large great white shark washed up in the Village of Quogue, New York on July 20. The resident who discovered the dead shark estimated it was about 8 feet long.
Also, on July 20, a teen was bitten by a shark while surfing on Long Island. The 16-year-old boy was surfing in the waters off of Kismet Beach on Fire Island at around 5:45 p.m.
July 25: An Orlando man was bitten by a shark while he was wading in waist-deep water in Daytona Beach just before 3 p.m.
Despite, the recent string of shark-related incidents, the chances of being attacked by a shark are still extremely rare, about 1 in 3.7 million.
Check back for updates. This story will be updated with new shark sightings and encounters.
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