Sharks force beach closings to swimmers but some reopen

Shark sightings caused the temporary closure of several beaches in Suffolk County to swimmers on Tuesday.

Swimming ceased at Pike's Beach in Westhampton Dunes Tuesday morning, as police received reports of sharks feeding on bunker fish roughly 200 to 300 yards offshore.

All other Southampton Town beaches to the west of the Shinnecock Canal were also closed to swimming Tuesday morning but reopened Tuesday afternoon, town supervisor Jay Schneiderman said.

Officials will continue to monitor the beaches for possible shark sightings Wednesday, he said.

Smith Point County Park in Shirley and Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton were also closed Tuesday morning, according to a spokesman for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Smith Point had been closed Monday after lifeguards spotted several sharks less than 20 yards from the shoreline, officials said. But it reopened Tuesday, said Derek Poppe, a spokesman for Bellone said.

No beaches in Nassau County were closed Tuesday for shark sightings, according to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran's office.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.