Editors note: The video above aired in a previous newscast.
NEW YORK (PIX11) – Summertime means fun in the sun at New York City beaches, but it also means shark season has arrived.
“While human-shark interactions are rare, DEC encourages the public to follow shark safety guidance to help minimize the risk of negative interactions with sharks this summer,” New York Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said in a statement on Friday.
Steps to minimize shark interactions include:
- Avoid areas with seals
- Avoid areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, or diving seabirds
- Avoid swimming at dusk, night, and dawn
- Avoid murky water
- Swim, paddle, and surf in groups
- Stay close to shore, where feet can touch the bottom
- Always follow the instructions of lifeguards and park staff
Sharks are apex predators, which means they are at the top of the food chain in New York waters. Sharks have been part of the area for millions of years, according to the DEC.
Humans assume risk whenever they enter any wild environment, whether on land or in the water. Although it is impossible to eliminate risk altogether, people can modify their behavior to minimize potential interactions with sharks and reduce overall risk, according to the DEC.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
English (US) ·