Sharks Stalk US Coasts: Attacks, Sightings Prompt Safety Measures

Shark activity has been making headlines along United States coastlines this summer as a string of recent incidents and sightings prompt both public concern and fresh safety measures. On August 4th, authorities at Rockaway Beach in New York cleared swimmers from the water after drones confirmed at least three shark sightings in a single afternoon, one of several temporary closures there already this season. Lifeguards followed strict protocol, closing a wide stretch of shoreline for an hour to ensure safety, a response that has become increasingly common. Rockaway Beach was shut down for similar reasons several times in July, highlighting a growing frequency of shark encounters in waters previously considered safe. In June, a woman was bitten by what experts identified as a juvenile sand tiger shark off Jones Beach, an incident underscoring that most attacks are by younger, curious sharks rather than full-grown predators, according to CBS News New York.

Florida has also seen its share of shark-related news. Near Boca Grande, a nine-year-old girl narrowly avoided losing her hand when a shark struck during a swim. Instances like this have been matched by ongoing efforts from scientists to track shark movements along the Atlantic coast. Researchers with the group OCEARCH have tagged a massive great white shark named Contender, whose movements from the Florida-Georgia border to the waters off North Carolina are being followed closely. Dr. Harley Newton, a lead OCEARCH scientist, has advised the public on staying safe by avoiding shiny jewelry, swimming in groups, and steering clear of dawn or dusk swims when sharks are most active.

Summer 2025 has already brought at least a dozen reported shark attacks across the US, as reported by AOL, a figure that fits within the average but remains prominent in public discussion. These incidents are part of a global trend that sees sharks shifting their ranges and following prey into shallower or warmer waters. Climate change is a critical factor, as rising sea temperatures disrupt ecosystems and fish populations, in turn driving sharks closer to shorelines frequented by beachgoers. The Business Standard notes how such ecological shifts have also caused notable increases in shark activity in places like Australia, where fatal attacks spiked to numbers not seen since the 1930s.

To help manage the risks, US beach authorities are now more frequently deploying drones to monitor nearshore waters. Lifeguards are trained to shut down swimming quickly after shark sightings and post clear flag advisories to warn the public about water conditions, including the presence of sharks. Educational campaigns emphasize practical steps for ocean safety, such as swimming near lifeguard stations, checking local advisories before entering the water, staying out of murky water, and avoiding areas with active fishing where sharks may be attracted.

Scientists and municipalities continue to develop new safety technologies, like electrical shark deterrent devices and innovative barriers, as highlighted in Ecology and Society, to balance conservation with public safety. The ongoing research and real-time tracking allow beach managers to make faster, data-driven decisions that help protect both people and sharks.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Shark activity has been making headlines along United States coastlines
this summer, as a strim of recent incidents and sightings
prompt both public concern and fresh safety measures. On August fourth,
authorities at Rockaway Beach in New York cleared swimmers from
the water after drones confirmed at least three shark sightings
in a single afternoon. One of civil temporary closures there

(00:22):
already this season, lifeguards followed strict protocol, closing a wide
stretch of shoreline for an hour to ensure safety, a
response that has become increasingly common. Rockaway Beach was shut
down for similar reasons several times in July, highlighting a
growing frequency of shark encounters in waters previously considered safe.

(00:43):
In June, a woman was bitten by what experts identified
as a juvenile sand tiger shark off Jones Beach, an
incident underscoring that most attacks are by younger, curious sharks
rather than full grown predators. According to CBS News New York,
Florida has own also seen its share of shark related news.
Near Boca Grande, a nine year old girl narrowly avoided

(01:06):
losing her hand when a shark struck during a swim.
Instances like this have been matched by ongoing efforts from
scientists to track shark movements along the Atlantic coast. Researchers
with the group o SI Watch have tagged a massive
grape white shark named Contender, whose movements from the Florida,
Georgia border to the waters off North Carolina are being

(01:26):
followed closely. Doctor Harley Newton, a lead OSA Watch scientist,
has advised the public on staying safe by avoiding shiny jewelry,
swimming in groups, and steering clear of dawn or dusk
swims when sharks are most active. Summer twenty twenty five
has already brought at least a dozen reported shark attacks
across the US, as reported by AOL, a figure that

(01:49):
fits within the average but remains prominent in public discussion.
These incidents are part of a global trend that sees
sharks shifting their ranges and following prey into shallower or
warmer waters. Climate change is a critical factor, as rising
sea temperatures disrupt ecosystems and fish populations, in turn driving
sharks closer to shore lines frequented by beachoers. The Business

(02:13):
Standard notes how such ecological shifts have also caused notable
increases in shark activity in places like Australia, where fatal
attacks spiked to numbers not seen since the nineteen thirties.
To help manage the risks, US beach authorities are now
more frequently deploying drones to monitor near shore waters. Lifeguards
are trained to shut down swimming quickly after shark sightings

(02:36):
and post clear flag advisories to warn the public about
water conditions, including the presence of sharks. Educational campaigns emphasize
practical steps for ocean safety, such as swimming near lifeguard stations,
checking local advisories before entering the water, staying out of
murky water, and avoiding areas with active fishing where sharks

(02:57):
may be attracted. Scientists and municipalities continue to develop new
safety technologies like electrical shark deterrent devices and innovative barriers,
as highlighted in Ecology and Society to balance conservation with
public safety. The ongoing research and real time tracking allow
beach managers to make faster, data driven decisions that help

(03:20):
protect both people and sharks. Thank you for tuning in
and remember to subscribe so you never miss an update
on ocean safety and Shark News. This has been a
quiet please production. For more check out quiet please dot
ai