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The City confirmed a shark sighting this weekend at Rockaway Beach.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A City Parks-confirmed shark sighting at Rockaway Beach Sunday afternoon led the agency to close a section of the popular borough beach.
Beaches from Beach 9th Street to Beach 29th Street were closed for several hours.
Additionally, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday directed the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the State Police to implement heightened patrols and surveillance of shark activity, including drone and helicopter monitoring, along the Long Island State Park Beaches due to recent shark encounters in the Atlantic Ocean waters off of the South Shore. Hochul also directed State agencies to expand public outreach efforts on shark safety resources and education to help beachgoers stay safe.
Under State Park shark safety guidelines, swimming is suspended following a shark sighting so the shoreline can be inspected by drone. Swimming is only allowed to resume at least an hour after the last sighting in order to better protect beach visitors. All sightings are referred to the Long Island Coastal Awareness Group, which consists of 180 individuals from municipalities, agencies, and private beach operators stretching from Queens through Long Island.
“As New Yorkers and visitors alike head to our beautiful Long Island beaches to enjoy the summer, our top priority is their safety,” Hochul said. “We are taking action to expand patrols for sharks and protect beachgoers from potentially dangerous situations. I encourage all New Yorkers to listen to local
