Shark Sighting Closes Nassau Beaches For Fifth Straight Day

LIDO BEACH, NY — Another day, another shark sighting in Long Island waters.

The Town of Hempstead reported that a member of its new shark patrol spotted a shark in the water off Lido Beach. As a result, all Town of Hempstead beaches are now closed to swimming.

This marks the fifth day in a row that shark sightings have closed South Shore beaches to swimming. No one has been injured.

Both Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead of stepped up patrols this week. Nassau County is using police helicopters and boats to survey the coastline, and Hempstead Town is using Bay Constables in boats and lifeguards on jet skis to patrol the waters.

It's unknown if all of the sightings are multiple sharks or the same shark. Some have reported seeing a bull shark, which is an aggressive species that can swim in very shallow water. A bull shark was caught and released at Long Beach over the weekend. It's unclear if it's the shark that's been spotted this week.