Shark spotted in Hewlett Bay; 6th Long Island sighting in 7 days

Hempstead Town officials temporarily suspended swimming Thursday afternoon at Hewlett Point Beach after lifeguards spotted a shark in Hewlett Bay — at least the sixth sighting in a week.

The shark, approximately 5 feet long, was reported in the inland bay near Bay Park, shortly after 2:30 p.m., Hempstead Town officials said. Lifeguards spotted the shark's dorsal fin and its tail about 100 yards offshore. It was the third shark sighting in Hewlett Bay since last weekend.

The beach was red-flagged against swimming for an hour. After lifeguards searched the waters to ensure there were no additional shark sightings, officials reopened the beach, officials said.

Thursday's shark sighting marked at least the sixth off Long Island beaches in the past week, after none had been reported since summer began.

Two sharks were also reported last weekend in Hewlett Bay. The three sharks made it to the bay from the Atlantic Ocean after entering Reynolds Channel, which leads into the Great South Bay and includes several bathing beaches.

On Monday night, Hempstead Town officials reported a 7-foot shark about 25 feet off the shore at Lido Beach. Two sharks sightings were also reported last week near Far Rockaway, west of Atlantic Beach, marking the area's first of the year.

State officials announced increased surveillance and drone equipment for Long Island beaches following a rash of shark sightings and reported shark bites last year. George Gorman, Long Island regional director for state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said shark sightings began earlier in the season last year, so his fleet of drones has been patrolling state beaches daily since the "swimming season" began.

"We are heavily monitoring the beaches to keep the swimmers as safe as we possibly can," he said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon.