Shark Update: Fire Island National Seashore Beaches Are Closed Until Further Notice

From our friends at the Fire Island National Seashore:

Fire Island National Seashore beaches are closed until further notice following two non-life threatening bite injuries.

At approximately 11:15 AM today a twelve year-old girl wading in the water was bit at Sailors Haven, a National Park Service site on Fire Island. She was able to walk to shore with assistance from her caregiver. Suffolk County responded to the incident, treated the bite victim, and transported her to an area hospital. There were bite marks on the victim consistent with a large fish. However, there was not a sighting of a shark in the area and the incident has not been confirmed as a shark bite.

Suffolk County Marine Bureau Deputy Inspector Kevin Degnan confirmed that his staff later responded to a second incident at a Town of Islip Beach, Atlantique, west of Sailors Haven. A tooth was found in the bite wound, consistent with a large fish. The Suffolk County Marine Bureau is awaiting identification of the tooth from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Marine Bureau and has not confirmed the incident as a shark bite. The victim was treated and transported to an area hospital. Town of Islip Public Information Bureau can be reached at 631-852-6000.