A woman aged 20 was bitten while swimming at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island , according to authorities from New York State. The incident took place on Wednesday, June 25, in the afternoon at a location known as Central Mall , where the young woman was in waist-deep water.
Although the victim was unable to see the creature that attacked her due to the cloudy water , specialists from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation concluded, after analyzing photographs of the injuries , that the attack was “highly likely” caused by a Juvenile Sand Tiger Shark . This species, known by its characteristic appearance, is not typically aggressive towards humans.
Rescue teams, including lifeguards and emergency medical staff , responded quickly to the scene. The woman sustained cuts on her foot and left leg , including tooth marks on her foot and a significant laceration on her thigh , according to George Gorman, the regional director of state parks. Following the incident, she was transferred to the Nassau University Medical Center , where stitches were applied. Fortunately, her injuries were classified as non-serious , and she was subsequently discharged.
In the aftermath of the attack, authorities promptly suspended swimming at the beach as a precautionary measure. A search operation was launched, utilizing drones to scout for dangerous marine life , but no sharks were found in the area. The following day, after a thorough review with drones and regular patrols, officials declared the area safe, allowing swimming to resume.
Over the past three years, New York’s beaches have strengthened monitoring protocols by implementing specialized shark patrol technology . This system includes drones , boats of varying sizes , and permanent observers stationed both on land and at sea to enhance public safety.
Visiting beachgoers expressed their concerns. Robert Larroso, a frequent visitor, stated, “It reassures me knowing the lifeguards alert us and ask people to leave the water when they detect something unusual.” Another visitor, Mike Singer, noted the danger inherent in the proximity of sharks to shore and questioned if this could be linked to changing water temperatures .
This incident represents the first confirmed shark attack of 2025 in the coastal area of New York . Officials are hopeful that similar incidents will not occur again during the summer season.
In light of this event, New York State Parks officials issued several recommendations to minimize the risk of encountering sharks:
- Avoid areas where there are seals .
- Do not swim in areas with schools of fish , agitated fish , or sea birds diving .
- Avoid swimming during low-light hours : at dusk, at night, or at dawn.
- Do not enter the sea if the water is turbid .
- Swim, surf, or kayak in groups .
- Stay near the shore where the bottom is reachable.
- Always heed instructions from lifeguards and park staff.