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Shark Sightings Close All 7 Miles of Rockaway’s Beaches


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Early Tuesday afternoon, two shark sightings, one at Beach 67th, the other at Beach 102nd Street, prompted a closure of ALL of Rockaway’s seven miles of beach.

“NYPD Aviation is currently doing aerial surveillance, and we will reopen the beach when it is safe to do so,” said a Parks Department Spokesperson.

As locals tried to beat the blistering heat, two shark’s were seen, at least one allegedly “bumped” a swimmer according to a Parks’ Enforcement Officer and other beachgoers at Beach 67th Street, who were ordered to come out of the water by Parks as well as the NYPD.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Chris Benitez, who was pulled out of the water and came from Suffolk County to swim at Rockaway.

This comes after a sighting in Far Rockaway prompted closures from Beach 9th to Beach 29th Street on Sunday.

 

5 responses to “Shark Sightings Close All 7 Miles of Rockaway’s Beaches”

  1. Canonchet says:

    Over-reaction. Out there all the time, chasing menhaden & other bite-size schoolfish, just like the dolphins and whales in our NY coastal waters. Not seeking big bipedal mammals. (Surfboards, though, can be mistaken for rival predators when spied from below – surfers much more at risk than swimmers.)

  2. Surfrider says:

    Such ignorance. Those beaches are too heavily policed as it is, like when they give out tickets for swimming after 6pm because the city would rather pay Parks Dept lackeys sweating in polyester outfits rather than keep actual lifeguards out there… god forbid people swim in the ocean. New York is pathetic. This culture of stupidity is the real plague. Long live the sharks.

  3. The Shark says:

    Closing down the beaches? Really? I hate to break it to you but we sharks are always in the ocean. We live in the ocean. This is where we are born, where we learn to swim, where we feed, where we breed. We are always in the ocean…even in the cold, dark winter months. And sometimes we even swim into your bay looking for a snack. Are you gonna close the bay now?

    Listen up, if you think I’m going to try and eat you or one of your kids, just stop. Don’t flatter yourself; we don’t want to eat you. You bony humans taste awful. You’re safe. There’s no need to close the beaches. You humans watch too much TV, you’ve seen Jaws too many times. We sharks aren’t a threat to you.

    While I have your attention I would like to ask for one favor: please clean up your mess when you leave the beach. Too much garbage is getting into the water. It’s disgusting, and don’t blame the DFD’s I know many locals are slobs too.

  4. Peter J Stubben says:

    my humble advice to the Governor, proposing thousands on new boats, jet skis, drones to patrol…Save The Money— Send In The Orcas…PJS

  5. Scott Bartels says:

    You have a Better Chance Of Getting Robbed or Shot in Rockaway. Then getting bite By a Shark.

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