Beach Update (8/9 at 12:15 p.m.): East Atlantic Beach and Atlantic Beach Estates are redflagged due to a shark catch by local fishermen.
— Town of Hempstead (@HempsteadTown) August 9, 2020
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced Sunday Nickerson Beach is currently waist-deep swimming only due to a shark sighting at nearby Atlantic Beach.
On Saturday, a shark was caught by a fisherman at Jones Beach.
Story below is from August 2
A total of 13 shark sightings since Monday halted swimming at beaches on Long Island.
Lifeguards were forced put out red flags and clear the water at Lido Beach on Saturday afternoon after seeing a large dark fin emerge from the water, seemingly going after prey.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said the fin was spotted and a large splash was noticed. Some patrons in the water also noticed and began to run out of the water.
“The lifeguards immediately responded by ‘red flagging’ the waters and getting everyone out of the water,” he said. “As of this time, our lifeguards are taking the precaution of prohibiting all swimming at Hempstead Town beaches until further notice.”
A few hours later people were allowed to return to the water, but only up to their knees.
However, another sighting happened around 4 p.m. as all swimming at Hempstead Town beaches are closed until further notice.
*Beach Update (August 1st — 4:15pm)*
Due to a shark sighting by Nassau County Police, all swimming is now prohibited at Town of Hempstead ocean beaches from Civic Beach to Lido West beach until further notice.
— Town of Hempstead (@HempsteadTown) August 1, 2020
The shark sighting was reported by neighboring city of Long Beach. The town ended up closing for the rest of the day in coordination with Long Beach.
Lido Beach was knee deep for most of Saturday due to the 1 p.m. shark sighting.
Lifeguards are also advising beachgoers to be aware for the potential of strong riptides as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias making its way up the Atlantic coast.
On Friday, a Town of Hempstead lifeguard with the newly formed Shark Patrol spotted the shark off Lido Beach just before 4 p.m., halting swimming at all Town of Hempstead ocean beaches from Civic Beach to Town Park Lido West beach.
The Shark Patrol consists of Jet Ski watercraft and the deployment of a team of lifeguards on a Bay Constable boat to monitor the waters as needed during this period of shark sightings. Nassau County also has enhanced helicopter patrols and intensified marine ocean patrols.
There were three sightings each day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, along with one Thursday and the most recent one Friday.
“It’s not yet known if these sightings are the same shark, or different sharks,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said.
Meantime, TJ…
Read More:Town of Hempstead beaches red flagged after shark caught by Long Island
