Two separate shark attacks off Fire Island three weeks ago set off concerns on many South Shore beaches.

But was that reaction justified?

News 12 spoke with Massapequa's Chris Stefanou, who calls himself the “Long Island Shark Man.”

He has been reeling in sharks for the last three years while standing on Tobay Beach. He estimates he's nabbed about 40 during that time – all for the sake of conservation.

“Everybody gives them such a bad rap,” says Stefanou. “The sharks need us and we need the sharks,” he says.

He is passionate about shark conservation, safe fishing practices and shark research. He says what happened a few weeks ago off Fire Island disappointed him, and called the attack accidental.  

Stefanou says he tags the sharks for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration so experts can study their patterns.