Recently, sharks have been frequenting the city of New York. On the evening of July 5th (Saturday), sharks were once again spotted at Rockaway Beach in Queens, with the marine predators as close as 100 feet to swimmers. Authorities promptly closed the beach, marking the second consecutive day of closure at the same location.
Around 6 p.m. that day, an unmanned aerial drone operated by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) captured footage of a shark swimming underwater in the area between Beach 113th Street and Beach 115th Street in Rockaway Park. The shark was seen moving its body in the water, with its fin briefly surfacing before swiftly disappearing into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, unbeknownst to beachgoers. Following this sighting, the city government closed off the entire stretch of Rockaway coastline from Beach 92nd Street to Beach 124th Street.
Just the day before on Independence Day, there were three reported shark sightings in the Rockaway Park area, at Beach 30th Street, Beach 32nd Street, and Beach 144th Street, all in close proximity to beach crowds. Officials have urged swimmers to be vigilant and cautious while enjoying the water.
The specific species of the sharks spotted have not been disclosed yet, but common fish species found in the local waters include Atlantic menhaden and smooth dogfish, both of which are known to frequent the waters along the New York coast.
Governor Hojo of New York State announced on July 3rd that the state government had deployed drones and helicopters to enhance beach patrols to prevent shark-human conflicts. She reminded the public, “All beach visitors must remain vigilant, prioritize safety, and adhere to the instructions of lifeguards and park personnel.”