8-Foot Shark Caught Off Atlantique Beach

FIRE ISLAND, NY - A fisherman caught an 8-foot shark at the same Fire Island beach where a 13-year-old was bitten by a shark in the water, Islip Town officials confirmed.

Officials say the fisherman caught the shark on Thursday morning at Atlantique Beach. The shark was caught about 50 yards from the beach.

A second shark was seen on the sand in Kismet on Fire Island Thursday evening surrounded by a group of people with one young male holding the animal by its tail.

Two children were bit by sharks at Atlantique on Wednesday.

A 13-year-old boy was boogie-boarding in the water at the time when he was bitten.

After he came out of the water, a lifeguard took him to a tent where his wounds were cleaned and dressed. EMTs removed a tooth from the his leg which was sent to NYS DEC officials for testing.

The tooth was determined late Thursday to be from a sand shark, according to officials, however they could not confirm the species.

James Gilmore, Director, NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources said the sharks were likely looking for food in murky waters and this was merely “a case of mistaken identity.”

The teen was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore with non-life-threatening injuries.

In addition, another animal attack was reported at Sailor's Haven involved a 12-year-old girl, officials confirmed. She was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Islip with non-life-threatening injuries.

Both incidents are still being evaluated.

Officials say injuries of this kind are rare on Fire Island, however, visitors should always use caution in and around the water.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter announced on Thursday, that all ocean beaches within the Town are open, and with heightened alertness.

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