Jul 21, 2022, 2:40 am Updated 9 hours ago
By: News 12 Staff
A juvenile great white shark washed up on Quogue Beach on Wednesday, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Village of Quogue Police say the shark washed up on a beach on Dune Road. It has since been swept out to sea and appears to be drifting westward.
The Quogue Police Department has an officer stationed on the beach to monitor it. They are in contact with the South Fork Museum of Natural History’s Shark Research and Education Program.
If found, the shark will be secured for sampling and necropsy.
The DEC says the shark was approximately 7 feet long.
Tim Carbone, manager of the Quogue Surf Club, says a photo of the shark appeared on his text chain with other beach managers around 9:30 a.m.
“It’s cool to see him — it’s sad he died,” says Carbone. “And unfortunately, the reaction is crazy — everybody’s crazy about it.”
Carbone says the great white may have been caught in a fishing net or struck by a boat.
Shark expert Toby Curtis says great whites are common in the area weather-wise.
“There are a lot of 4- and 5-foot juvenile great whites that spend the entire summer on the south coast,” says Curtis.
Curtis says the smaller great whites are sticking to eating housefish, squid and bottom feeders.
“They’re really not interested in biting people like surfers,” says Curtis. “And even if a surfer did run into one — chances are there’d be no interaction — so there’s really no cause for concern.”
Swimmers and boaters are still being warned of the ongoing situation, to be aware of their surroundings and to allow law enforcement to monitor the situation.
Coogue Police say anyone who spots a shark should contact them.
Add Comment