Officials Say Woman Likely Bitten by Juvenile Sand Tiger Shark at New York Beach
A 20-year-old woman was likely bitten by a young sand tiger shark while swimming in waist-deep water earlier this week at Jones Beach State Park, a popular destination on Long Island, New York, according to state officials.
Emergency medical technicians and lifeguards responded swiftly to the incident, which occurred Wednesday afternoon. The woman sustained minor lacerations on her left foot and leg, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
This marked the first reported shark encounter at the beach in 2025, said George Gorman, Regional Director for New York State Parks, in an interview with CNN affiliate WCBS.
The timing of the incident — just ahead of the busy Fourth of July weekend — has prompted an increased state of alert among lifeguards and park officials. The attack also recalls a string of shark sightings and suspected bites that occurred in New York during the summer of 2023, which unsettled beachgoers across the region.
The swimmer told authorities she didn’t see what bit her while she was in the water around 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday. In response, swimming was immediately suspended at the beach, and officials launched a search for any potentially dangerous marine animals using drone surveillance. However, no sharks or other threats were spotted.
Before reopening the beach to swimmers on Thursday, authorities conducted another drone sweep and deployed lifeguards to patrol both from shore and via watercraft to ensure the area was safe. According to the parks department, safety efforts will continue throughout the summer season.
Though the incident has sparked public concern, experts continue to stress that the likelihood of shark attacks remains extremely low. Most shark encounters with humans are believed to be accidental, particularly when it comes to juvenile sharks that may confuse people with their typical prey.
Biologists Evaluate Shark Species
Since the woman didn’t see the animal and no shark was detected during the aerial searches, the identification of the species involved relied on expert analysis. New York State Parks consulted with biologists from the Department of Environmental Conservation to assess the nature of the injuries and other situational factors.
Based on photos of the bite wounds and details from the scene, the biologists concluded the injuries were most likely caused by a juvenile sand tiger shark. The experts were able to eliminate several other species based on the evidence, though they emphasized that a definitive conclusion couldn’t be reached without direct observation of the shark responsible.
“Without seeing the animal, we can’t say for certain,” the parks department noted. “But based on the available evidence, a young sand tiger shark is the most probable cause.”
Sand tiger sharks, while intimidating in appearance due to their sharp protruding teeth, are generally not aggressive toward humans unless provoked or confused.
The incident has led some regular beachgoers to question their plans “Now, I don’t even know if I’m going to let my kids go in the water.”
Shark Attack Numbers Decline Globally
Despite the media attention surrounding such incidents, unprovoked shark bites have been decreasing globally. In 2024, only 47 unprovoked shark attacks were recorded worldwide — a sharp drop from the 69 incidents reported the previous year and well below the 10-year global average of 70, according to data released in February.
One of these, a fatal attack off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, involved an unidentified shark species. Still, the U.S. total marked a significant decline from 2023 figures, falling by nearly a third.
Florida, as in previous years, accounted for the highest number of unprovoked shark bites within the U.S., with 14 confirmed cases. The data was compiled by the Florida Museum of Natural History, which oversees the International Shark Attack File, a global database tracking shark-human interactions.
Shark researchers maintain that the decrease in attacks may be due to a variety of factors — including improved public awareness, increased use of drone surveillance, and even fluctuations in ocean temperatures and marine life behavior that influence shark migration patterns.
Still, officials at Jones Beach are treating this latest incident with utmost seriousness. “The safety of our visitors is our top priority,” the parks department stated. “We will continue to monitor marine activity closely and take all necessary precautions to keep swimmers safe.”
As the holiday weekend approaches, lifeguards and marine patrol teams are expected to maintain enhanced vigilance to ensure beachgoers can enjoy the water with peace of mind.