RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A massive great white shark named Ernst is drawing attention along the East Coast as researchers track her annual migration north, while a growing number of shark sightings and beach closures have put New York beachgoers on alert.
The 12-foot-long, 1,000-pound female great white was first detected off Montauk, New York , in June and has since continued north toward Atlantic Canadian waters, according to tracking data from marine research organization OCEARCH.
OCEARCH has also reported that another even larger great white, known as Contender, appears to be following a similar route. Contender measures nearly 14 feet long and weighs more than 1,650 pounds, making him one of the largest great whites ever tagged in the Atlantic.
Ernst and Contender are following the annual northward migration route used by great white sharks along the East Coast. As they move between southern waters and summer feeding grounds in New England and Atlantic Canada, they pass through waters off New York and Long Island, according to the science and environment blog Outer Haven.
The attention surrounding Ernst and Contender comes as New York experiences a notable rise in shark sightings.
NBC New York reported that at Rockaway Beach in Queens there were 23 shark sightings between late May and early July 2026, including 16 sightings in just the first five days of July, which local officials described as a record for that time of year.
Marine experts say several factors may be contributing to the increase.
One major reason is improved surveillance : New York has dramatically expanded its use of drones, patrol boats and aerial monitoring, allowing lifeguards to spot sharks that may have gone unnoticed in previous years. Officials have acknowledged that enhanced surveillance is partly responsible for the higher number of reported sightings.
Scientists also point to environmental changes: Increased populations of bait fish such as Atlantic menhaden, sometimes called bunker fish, have attracted more marine predators closer to shore. Some researchers also suggest warming ocean temperatures may be extending the seasonal range of certain shark species in northeastern waters.
The increase in sightings has had real-world consequences for swimmers and vacationers.
Multiple New York beaches have been temporarily closed or placed under swimming restrictions this summer after sharks were spotted near shore. In early July, NBC reported that a 9-foot shark sighting prompted Nassau County officials to red-flag Point Lookout Beach and nearby swimming areas. Rockaway Beach has also experienced repeated temporary closures because of shark activity.
Officials have responded by expanding drone patrols and increasing monitoring along Long Island beaches. New York has added new drone operators and surveillance equipment designed to detect sharks and warn swimmers before dangerous interactions occur.
The heightened concern follows a confirmed shark bite at Jones Beach during the July Fourth holiday weekend. State biologists determined that a swimmer who suffered a foot injury was likely bitten by a small sand tiger shark. The injuries were not life-threatening, and experts stressed there was no evidence of a predatory attack.
Despite the recent incidents, experts emphasize that serious shark attacks remain rare.
Worldwide, there are typically around 100 reported shark bites per year, and only a small fraction are fatal. Millions of people enter the ocean annually without encountering a shark .
For scientists, the presence of sharks near New York's coastline is not necessarily a sign of increased danger. Rather, it may reflect a recovering marine ecosystem with stronger fish populations and improved water quality.
Still, with Ernst already heading north and the giant Contender potentially following a similar route, shark trackers and beach officials will be closely monitoring developments throughout the remainder of the summer.
For beachgoers, the message remains simple: Pay attention to lifeguard warnings and beach closure notices, and remember that while sharks are becoming more visible, close encounters remain uncommon.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Daniel Orton and Tony Phillips
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