A day after a woman was attacked by a shark at Rockaway Beach, the sand was practically empty on a beautiful August day.

“It’s not really that surprising, so they’re obviously out there,” said beachgoer Jeremy Vondeck.

What You Need To Know

  • A day after a woman was attacked by a shark off Rockaway Beach, the beach was practically empty Tuesday
  • Police say the female victim sustained a bite to her leg shortly after 6 p.m. on Monday
  • The FDNY and NYPD conducted aerial surveillance on Tuesday to make sure the coast was clear of sharks

Police say the female victim sustained a bite to her leg shortly after 6 p.m. on Monday. She was taken to Jamaica Hospital where she underwent surgery.

The city urged swimmers and surfers to stay out of the water on Tuesday, as indicated by the red “no swimming” flags that lined the beach.

The FDNY and NYPD conducted aerial surveillance at Rockaway Beach to make sure the coast was clear and free of sharks.

That didn’t stop some beachgoers, like Vondeck, from going in the ocean.

“You’ve got the helicopters out every five minutes. You got the patrol boats out, and as far as I can tell, this is as safe as it’s going to be,” Vondeck said. “Yesterday, there were no helicopters, no patrol boats and somebody still got bit.”

The attack Monday is believed to be the first in the city this century. It comes amid an increase in shark sightings in recent years.

“Shark attacks rarely happen out here and I hope it don’t happen again,” said Roberto Santiago.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said there are more than a dozen different shark species that migrate to New York seasonally, ending up in different places depending on habitat, food and other factors.

Experts believe recent “negative” circumstances involving sharks are due to sharks misindentifying prey.

The Department of Environmental Conservation recommends avoiding areas with murky water, seals, schools of fish, splashing fish or diving seabirds. They also suggest avoiding swimming at dusk, night and dawn, staying close to shore and swimming in groups.

“I go really until it’s up to my waist,” Vondeck said. “Not really worried.”

As of Tuesday, the victim of the shark attack was recovering from surgery in stable condition.

Shark sightings typically increase from June through September as more sharks migrate to New York’s coastal waters.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says people should always assume that there is a risk whenever they enter any while habitat or environment, whether in water or on land.