LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Suffolk County beach was closed for swimming on Monday after multiple sharks were spotted near the shore.
According to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s office, multiple 6-foot-long sharks were spotted swimming less than 20 yards from the shoreline at Smith Point Beach.
The beach was closed for swimming immediately following the sighting.
Bellone’s office says Suffolk lifeguards have been actively patrolling for sharks and other marine life on paddle boards, surfboards and jet ski throughout the summer, in addition to monitoring from the shore.
The incident on Monday marked the latest in a long string of shark sightings this summer across Long Island.
In fact, a new shark warning system was put in place across Nassau County on Monday morning because of the surge in sightings.
Nassau County Executive Lauran Curran says they are seeing about one shark per week along the shore and are starting a new shark flag system at Nickerson Beach.
“We don't want anyone to take any chances,” Curran said.
The purple flags bear the image of a shark and will be placed at the beach for 24 hours following a shark sighting to warn beachgoers to remain vigilant if they are thinking about trekking into the water.
“We're going to put them up where it makes sense – you'll be able to see that right when you come in, right at the entrance of Nickerson Beach so people will know,” Curran said. “And this of course it isn't to scare anyone, it's just to warn people that if there are shark sightings, to use common sense and listen to the lifeguards.”
She says along with the flags Nassau police will continue to patrol in the air and lifeguards are still keeping a close eye on the ground.
“It looks like it could be our new normal,” Curran said. “Last summer, we saw much more than normal, this year we already have more than we saw the entire summer last year. So, this looks like it's going to be what we're going to have to deal with.”
The county executive says there have been 24 sightings in Nassau this summer.