Shark Bite Hospitalizes Teen Surfer At Jersey Shore, Officials Say

STONE HARBOR, NJ — A teenage surfer was hospitalized Sunday after apparently being bitten by a shark, Stone Harbor officials said.

The surfer, a 15-year-old girl from Pennsylvania, was surfing in the waters off the 109th Street Beach when she was attacked, officials said.

The teen was treated on scene for lacerations to her left foot and calf before being taken to Cape Regional Medical Center for further evaluation, officials said. She received six stitches and the injuries were not life-threatening, officials said.

The New Jersey State Southern Regional Medical Examiner's Office determined that her injuries "are consistent with those typically associated with a shark of unknown size and type," Stone Harbor officials said. Further details about the incident were not immediately available.

"This incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with water activities in areas where marine life thrives," Stone Harbor officials said in a release.

No restrictions on beach activities in Stone Harbor are currently planned, but officials urge beachgoers to use caution and follow local safety guidelines.

Officials also remind beachgoers that the odds of a shark attack in the United States are 1 in 11.5 million, according to the International Shark Attack File Beach Injuries and Fatalities Report.

But however low the risk, authorities urge everyone to stay vigilant.

"Stone Harbor remains a beloved and popular destination for beachgoers from near and far," Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour said in a statement. "The local police and fire departments are fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of both residents and tourists. They are taking appropriate measures to thoroughly assess the situation and provide necessary updates to the public."