Doable shark assaults immediate heightened patrols at New York’s Long Island seashores

NEW YORK — Two swimmers had been apparently attacked by sharks off the shores of Long Island on Tuesday, a day after two others reported being attacked whereas having fun with the water at widespread New York seashores.

At least one seaside delayed opening to vacation revelers Tuesday, after officers mentioned drones noticed some 50 sand sharks that morning close to a well-liked seaside park. When the seaside reopened, swimmers had been suggested to remain near shore.

“We want to make sure swimmers are safe,” Long Island State Parks Regional Director George Gorman informed Newsday.

The seaside was closed as soon as extra after a doable shark sighting, however officers decided it was a dolphin.

After a spate of assaults final 12 months, state parks officers have elevated patrols and deployed extra drones to scout the waters for doable hazard.

“We did have a season last year where we had six swimmers bitten from sharks, so this has turned into a bit of a concern,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison informed WABC.

Tuesday’s incidents occurred about 60 miles (95 kilometers) aside, together with one off Fire Island Pines — not removed from one other assault the day earlier than when a 15-year-old reported being bitten on one in every of his ft by a shark whereas browsing.

Earlier Monday, one other 15-year-old woman was handled for an obvious shark chew to a leg.

“She didn’t see what bit her, the lifeguards didn’t know what bit her, the drone operator checked the area, we didn’t see,” Gorman mentioned. “So we can’t definitively say what bit her.”

Tuesday’s shark encounters each occurred simply earlier than 2 p.m.

A 47-year-old man was in chest-deep water off Quogue Village Beach within the Hamptons when he felt an obvious chew to his proper knee, Quogue police mentioned. He informed authorities that he didn’t see a shark.

As a precaution, Quogue police suggested swimmers to remain out of the water till officers might assess the dangers.

Soon after, miles (kilometers) away, a 49-year-old man reported having a hand bitten whereas swimming close to Fire Island Pines Beach.

Despite the assaults, vacation revelers remained on the seaside.