See it: Shark spotted in water at Rockaway Beach in Queens

ROCKAWAY BEACH, Queens (PIX11) – A shark was captured on video at Rockaway Beach in Queens Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The shark was seen in the water at Beach 86th Street at 1:20 p.m., according to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

The beach was temporarily closed to swimmers for a mile in each direction and reopened for swimming an hour later, an NYC Parks spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said a second shark sighting happened at Beach 61st Street at 2:45 p.m., resulting in the beach to be closed between Beach 57th and Beach 81st streets.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry posted drone video to X of the first shark sighting.

“Our drones will continue to monitor the waters for any other shark sightings or swimmers in distress,” Daughtry said.

A third sighting was reported but has not yet been confirmed by officials, the NYC Parks spokesperson said.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here .

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