Community Corner

At Point Beach And Elsewhere, Fish Scares Are Nothing New This Summer

Beach officials in LBI, Belmar, Point Beach and Toms River have received reports of rays, and Brick received reports of brown sharks off the beaches Thursday

By Colleen Platt

Thursday's reports of a shark sighting in Belmar weren't the only fish scares at Jersey Shore beaches this summer.

Brick received reports of brown sharks off the beaches Thursday, and some bathers were pulled in for a short time.

David Francese, who heads the Recreation Department in Brick, confirmed reports of a "big school" of skates that went by as well.

He noted that, in the case of sharks, "if they are close enough to the beach, we'll pull people in" as a precautionary measure. He urged people to "listen to the lifeguards" and also report any shark sightings to their lifeguard.

Beach officials in Belmar, Point Beach, Brick and Toms River also have pulled bathers out of the water as a precaution because of reports that schools of rays were frolicking in the surf.

Dean Albanese, who is chief lifeguard for Jenkinson's in Point Beach, said his crew pulled people out of the water "a couple of times" as schools of rays  made their way through the water, and then moved on. He said the rays are not dangerous, but pulling the swimmers out was a precautionary move. 

"We saw about 100 [rays], yesterday with the warm water, and how calm it is. And the fact that we have a lot of bait fish close to shore - they've been coming close," Albanese said. 

He noted that there has been some confusion between the rays and sharks because, "when their wings go up and they flap it looks like a fin." But Jenkinson's and other lifeguards across the shore are watching the waters - both from their stands and in the water - for sharks and rays. 

In Belmar, lifeguards say they saw skates swimming in the water after some beachgoers reported seeing a shark.

Dale Parsons, of Parsons Seafood shellfish hatchery in Tuckerton, said he was not surprised to hear the reports of more schools of rays in Jersey Shore waters. He said a surge in shark fishing in recent years has reduced the only natural predator for rays, which are sharks. 

"I really think the balance of nature has been disrupted ... as shark populations are depleted, now we have more rays, and they are a real nuisance," Parsons said. "They are are biggest worry in the bay, if the clams aren't covered they are gone. I've seen schools of hundreds come in, lay on the bottom and eat the clams like peanuts."

While the rays may be in some people's opinions a nuisance, Albanese noted they are not dangerous.

"You are 99 percent safe with the rays swimming through. Some have barbs with bacteria on it, but the chance of you getting stung by them are highly unlikely," Albanese said.

He added the key is to "listen to your guards," and if they tell you to get out of the water, get out.

As for beach conditions Friday, Albanese said the "water is the best place to be." He said it is around 70 degrees in Point Pleasant. Due to the high temperatures though, Albanese said he is reminding everyone to hydrate, because "the biggest thing we are dealing with this week is heat emergencies."

Have you seen any stingrays or sharks in the water this week? If so, share your stories in the comments.

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