Greater numbers ‘a good thing’
A rash of shark attacks on Long Island could make beachgoers think twice about catching some waves this summer.
But before you choose to stay on the sand, here’s what you need to know.
There are likely more sharks in New York waters today. “And that’s a good thing,” said Christopher Paparo, manager of Stony Brook University’s Marine Sciences Center.
Sharks are increasing because they’re hunting smaller fish like bunker, Paparo said in a statement to The Post. Bunkers and other fish have rebounded after they dwindled decades ago due to overfishing and pollution, he added.
There are a lot of types of sharks, too. New York waters have sand tiger sharks, tiger sharks, dusky sharks, spinner sharks and smaller white sharks, experts told The Post.
It’s not clear which sharks are behind the attacks. But experts believe sand tiger sharks are the likely aggressors. Sand tiger sharks appear grayer, can reach up to 10 feet and are second only to white sharks in terms of their encounters with people, according to the Shark Research Institute’s website.
Tiger sharks appear browner and can range up to 10 feet, according to the institute.
Sightings of super predator white sharks are more likely to the north of New York, with a recent slew of sightings off Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
However, sharks don’t look at you like lunch. “One thing to keep in mind is sharks are not out there trying to eat surfers and swimmers,” Paparo said. “They’d much rather eat fish, but in many cases they mistake us for their actual prey.”