A “shark warning” for Monmouth County circulating today on social media platforms is a hoax, U.S. Coast Guard officials say.
The warning, claiming to be issued by the U.S. Coast Guard and dated June 7, 2013, advises people to stay out of the water for the next 48-72 hours due to the “aggressive nature” of sightings in Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, and the Manasquan Inlet.
A “shark warning” for Monmouth County circulating today on social media platforms is a hoax, U.S. Coast Guard officials say.
The warning, claiming to be issued by the U.S. Coast Guard and dated June 7, 2013, advises people to stay out of the water for the next 48-72 hours due to the “aggressive nature” of sightings in Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, and the Manasquan Inlet.
U.S. Coast Guard officials confirmed to the Asbury Park Sun (asburyparksun.com)that the agency did not issue the statement.
“If there was an official threat, a Broadcast Notice to mariners would be issued via marine radio,” said Lt. Stephanie Young, Coast Guard Public Affairs.
A similar hoax has been recently circulating in California.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Naturally this does not mean that there are NO sharks swimming in the waters off of New Jersey beaches because sharks are natural inhabitants throughhout the oceans of the world, but this report of giant great whites is a hoax. But then again you have to add the further disclaimer that in spite of the fact that this “report” is a hoax, it does mean that there are no great white sharks off the coast of New Jersey.
Here’s the thing. There are sharks everywhere but these stories that are being used to frighten people are untrue. New Jersey Beaches are as safe now as they were last year and the year before that and for years and years before that. Okay now watch — somebody will get eaten by a shark and I’ll get the blame.
