Aug 8, 2023, 11:10 AM

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Updated

There was a possible shark sighting Tuesday at Jones Beach State Park, according to New York State Park Police.

They say a lifeguard spotted a possible shark about 10 yards out from the Central Mall around 9:20 a.m.

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Swimming has been prohibited at the Central Mall, East Bathhouse and West Bathhouse at Jones Beach.

Officials say there has been a lot of bait and bunker fish in the water, so swimming will remain closed.

“There were multiple sightings of sharks with these schools of bait fish at the West and East bathhouse,” says Lt. Alex Goodman, of the New York State Park Police. “We were able to see sharks feeding approximately 300 to 400 feet out.”

Goodman says when officials see a school of fish splitting up, and then splashing in the area they are swimming from, it could mean that sharks are present.

Officials say patrols have also been increased due to Monday’s shark attack in the Rockaway that left a woman in serious condition.

New York State Parks Regional Director Chip Gorman says they started to allow swimming again at 6:05 p.m. after no sharks were detected for several hours and the bait and bunker fish moved out to sea.