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Jones Beach Reopens Under Drone Surveillance After Juvenile Sand Tiger Shark Bite

Officials have launched continuous aerial patrols, accompanied by new swimmer safety guidelines aimed at reducing shark encounters.

FILE - A person walks by the water at Jones Beach in Wantagh, N.Y., May 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
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Overview

  • A 20-year-old woman suffered minor lacerations to her left leg and foot while wading at the Central Mall beachfront on June 25 and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
  • New York State DEC biologists and parks officials determined a juvenile sand tiger shark most likely caused the bite following expert review.
  • Swimming was suspended immediately after the attack and drones conducted aerial searches before the beach reopened the next morning.
  • Jones Beach State Park now maintains continuous drone and lifeguard patrols along the shoreline to detect marine life and protect swimmers.
  • Officials have issued seasonal safety guidelines urging beachgoers to avoid seals, schools of fish and murky water and to swim in groups close to shore.