ROCKAWAY BEACH, Queens (PIX11) — Two sharks seen swimming near visitors at Rockaway Beach in Queens caused a brief shutdown of the area on the Fourth of July, according to New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry.
The sharks were spotted along Beach 32nd Street just before 11:30 a.m. on Friday, along with another marine animal found near Beach 144th Street, Daughtry announced on the social media site X.

“These sightings were very close to beachgoers. But thanks to drone tech, lifeguards, and the dedicated professionals at NYC Emergency Management, we’re keeping everyone safe as they enjoy the holiday,” Daughtry posted online.
Beach 30th Street, where the sharks were last spotted, was closed for an hour but later reopened for swimming.
It marks the second day in a row that sharks were spotted along Rockaway Beach.
Daughtry says officials will continue to monitor the beach and keep New Yorkers updated on any additional shark sightings.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.