This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/nyregion/newyorktoday/nyc-news-beaches-sharks.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New Yorkers Are Beach-bound. So, Where Are the Sharks? New Yorkers Are Beach-bound. So, Where Are the Sharks?
(32 minutes later)
[Want to get New York Today by email? Here’s the sign-up.][Want to get New York Today by email? Here’s the sign-up.]
It’s Wednesday.It’s Wednesday.
Weather: The day starts cool and reaches a high in the 70s. Expect lots of clear sky and a mild breeze.Weather: The day starts cool and reaches a high in the 70s. Expect lots of clear sky and a mild breeze.
Alternate-side parking: In effect until Monday (Memorial Day).Alternate-side parking: In effect until Monday (Memorial Day).
The weather is getting warmer.The weather is getting warmer.
New York City beaches are opening on Memorial Day weekend.New York City beaches are opening on Memorial Day weekend.
So, naturally, sharks are in the news.So, naturally, sharks are in the news.
A great white shark named Cabot — who is tagged with an electronic tracker and has a Twitter feed that makes him appear friendly — was detected in Long Island Sound this week. But researchers now say that their initial detection may have been wrong, raising questions about the exact location of Cabot and other sharks just as New Yorkers are heading into the water.A great white shark named Cabot — who is tagged with an electronic tracker and has a Twitter feed that makes him appear friendly — was detected in Long Island Sound this week. But researchers now say that their initial detection may have been wrong, raising questions about the exact location of Cabot and other sharks just as New Yorkers are heading into the water.
[Read more about the shark that was (or wasn’t) in Long Island Sound.][Read more about the shark that was (or wasn’t) in Long Island Sound.]
Are there sharks in the waters off New York?Are there sharks in the waters off New York?
In the East River, no.In the East River, no.
In the Atlantic Ocean, of course.In the Atlantic Ocean, of course.
In Long Island Sound … possibly? The research organization Ocearch said Cabot was detected in the waters off Greenwich, Conn., yesterday morning. But that night, he was detected in Great South Bay, between Jones Beach and Fire Island.In Long Island Sound … possibly? The research organization Ocearch said Cabot was detected in the waters off Greenwich, Conn., yesterday morning. But that night, he was detected in Great South Bay, between Jones Beach and Fire Island.
Maybe Cabot swam an intricate route past New Rochelle, down the East River, hooked a sharp left and bypassed most of the South Shore — or Ocearch’s data was inaccurate. (Later data appeared to show Cabot well east of Montauk, as if in a hurry to get to Nantucket.)Maybe Cabot swam an intricate route past New Rochelle, down the East River, hooked a sharp left and bypassed most of the South Shore — or Ocearch’s data was inaccurate. (Later data appeared to show Cabot well east of Montauk, as if in a hurry to get to Nantucket.)
In the past, where have sharks been detected?In the past, where have sharks been detected?
In September 2015, a six-foot hammerhead shark named Elias was detected south of East Hampton on Long Island.In September 2015, a six-foot hammerhead shark named Elias was detected south of East Hampton on Long Island.
In August 2016, a five-foot white shark named Gotham was detected farther off Long Island, south of Bridgehampton.In August 2016, a five-foot white shark named Gotham was detected farther off Long Island, south of Bridgehampton.
In October 2017, a five-foot white shark named J.D. was detected closer to shore, east of Westhampton Beach. Around that time, a slightly smaller female white shark named Finn was also detected, south of Long Beach.In October 2017, a five-foot white shark named J.D. was detected closer to shore, east of Westhampton Beach. Around that time, a slightly smaller female white shark named Finn was also detected, south of Long Beach.
How common are shark attacks on humans?How common are shark attacks on humans?
They’re rare.They’re rare.
Since 1837, there have been only 12 unprovoked shark attacks on humans in New York State, according to the International Shark Attack File maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History. New Jersey has had 15; Connecticut has had one.Since 1837, there have been only 12 unprovoked shark attacks on humans in New York State, according to the International Shark Attack File maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History. New Jersey has had 15; Connecticut has had one.
Last year, the museum said, there were 32 unprovoked shark attacks in the country, one of which was deadly. Two were in New York.Last year, the museum said, there were 32 unprovoked shark attacks in the country, one of which was deadly. Two were in New York.
Why are sharks here?Why are sharks here?
Why not?Why not?
Sharks, like New Yorkers, have a habit of heading south in the winter and north in the summer. The domestic shark population is on the rise, a shark expert at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service told my colleague Michael Gold.Sharks, like New Yorkers, have a habit of heading south in the winter and north in the summer. The domestic shark population is on the rise, a shark expert at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service told my colleague Michael Gold.
And sharks generally go where there’s an ample food supply, the expert said.And sharks generally go where there’s an ample food supply, the expert said.
Are New York beaches safe?Are New York beaches safe?
There are millions of humans and not many sharks close to shore.There are millions of humans and not many sharks close to shore.
New York City maintains nine beaches and 14 miles of coast. They officially reopen on Saturday.New York City maintains nine beaches and 14 miles of coast. They officially reopen on Saturday.
Can sharks affect my property value?Can sharks affect my property value?
Yes, according to Jeff McCarthy, a senior aquarist at the Long Island Aquarium.Yes, according to Jeff McCarthy, a senior aquarist at the Long Island Aquarium.
Sharks are apex predators, the top of the food chain in their ecosystem. If sharks flourish, that means there are enough fish for them to eat. That means the fish that sharks eat also have enough to eat, etc.Sharks are apex predators, the top of the food chain in their ecosystem. If sharks flourish, that means there are enough fish for them to eat. That means the fish that sharks eat also have enough to eat, etc.
Mr. McCarthy told my colleague that sharks “take out all the dead and dying fish. If we got rid of all the sharks, beachfront property would be so cheap because the ocean would smell so bad with all the dead fish that are in there.”Mr. McCarthy told my colleague that sharks “take out all the dead and dying fish. If we got rid of all the sharks, beachfront property would be so cheap because the ocean would smell so bad with all the dead fish that are in there.”
Rats are taking over New York City. Gentrifying neighborhoods are one reason behind the vermin outbreak.Rats are taking over New York City. Gentrifying neighborhoods are one reason behind the vermin outbreak.
The New York Legislature moved to close a loophole on pardons that Democrats said could be exploited by President Trump. Next up: his taxes.The New York Legislature moved to close a loophole on pardons that Democrats said could be exploited by President Trump. Next up: his taxes.
Left in a bag as a newborn. DNA testing helped her understand why.Left in a bag as a newborn. DNA testing helped her understand why.
Subway commutes were disrupted by someone activating the emergency brakes, officials said.Subway commutes were disrupted by someone activating the emergency brakes, officials said.
The Dance Parade: Where 100 styles fit into 20 city blocks.The Dance Parade: Where 100 styles fit into 20 city blocks.
Summer in the City is back! Sign up for our limited-run newsletter.Summer in the City is back! Sign up for our limited-run newsletter.
[Want more news from New York and around the region? Check out our full coverage.][Want more news from New York and around the region? Check out our full coverage.]
The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.
Eliminating a “white supremacy culture” in New York City public schools is a goal of the city’s school chancellor. [New York Post]Eliminating a “white supremacy culture” in New York City public schools is a goal of the city’s school chancellor. [New York Post]
All 650 Dressbarn stores nationwide, including 10 in New York City, are closing. [The Real Deal]All 650 Dressbarn stores nationwide, including 10 in New York City, are closing. [The Real Deal]
On June 10, St. James Place at the Fulton Street intersection in Brooklyn, will be named Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace Way in honor the slain Brooklyn native and rapper. [The Root] On June 10, St. James Place at the Fulton Street intersection in Brooklyn will be named Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace Way in honor of the slain Brooklyn native and rapper. [The Root]
A 35-year-old ice cream shop in a gentrifying part of Brooklyn may close. [BKLYNER]A 35-year-old ice cream shop in a gentrifying part of Brooklyn may close. [BKLYNER]
The 31st annual Fleet Week kicks off with a parade of Naval and Coast Guard ships on the Hudson River, from Battery Park to just south of the George Washington Bridge. 7:30-11 a.m. [Free]The 31st annual Fleet Week kicks off with a parade of Naval and Coast Guard ships on the Hudson River, from Battery Park to just south of the George Washington Bridge. 7:30-11 a.m. [Free]
Take the guided “New Perspectives” tour that explores the artist Nari Ward’s sculptural work about Harlem at the New Museum in Manhattan. 12:30 p.m. [Free with $18 museum admission]Take the guided “New Perspectives” tour that explores the artist Nari Ward’s sculptural work about Harlem at the New Museum in Manhattan. 12:30 p.m. [Free with $18 museum admission]
Join a town-hall-style discussion on reparations in America at the BRIC House Ballroom in Brooklyn. 6:30 p.m. [Free with R.S.V.P.]Join a town-hall-style discussion on reparations in America at the BRIC House Ballroom in Brooklyn. 6:30 p.m. [Free with R.S.V.P.]
— Vivian Ewing— Vivian Ewing
Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.
In 1973, The New York Post was distributed in the afternoon by a unionized work force.In 1973, The New York Post was distributed in the afternoon by a unionized work force.
Thanks to a strong sense of job protection, some staff members would call out sick on Friday nights, leaving the paper in a bind for its Saturday edition. When that happened, a young City College student would get a phone call.Thanks to a strong sense of job protection, some staff members would call out sick on Friday nights, leaving the paper in a bind for its Saturday edition. When that happened, a young City College student would get a phone call.
Did he want to work for a few hours?Did he want to work for a few hours?
“I was a struggling college kid, happy to work midnight to 8 a.m. or any other shift,” recalled the now not-so-young man, whose parents had fled Germany during the Holocaust. “Whatever the pay was, it was a fortune to me.”“I was a struggling college kid, happy to work midnight to 8 a.m. or any other shift,” recalled the now not-so-young man, whose parents had fled Germany during the Holocaust. “Whatever the pay was, it was a fortune to me.”
Thus began the career of that man, David Seifman.Thus began the career of that man, David Seifman.
Last month, Mr. Seifman retired from The Post after more than 45 years. His first job title was part-time copy boy. His last was politics editor. His longest was City Hall bureau chief.Last month, Mr. Seifman retired from The Post after more than 45 years. His first job title was part-time copy boy. His last was politics editor. His longest was City Hall bureau chief.
As loud as the headlines were inside the newspaper, Mr. Seifman earned a reputation for unwavering fairness. He once told NY1, “You don’t always have to hit people over the head for really minor stuff.”As loud as the headlines were inside the newspaper, Mr. Seifman earned a reputation for unwavering fairness. He once told NY1, “You don’t always have to hit people over the head for really minor stuff.”
Later, Mr. Seifman told me, “I came up through a system that basically taught you, you have to present all sides of the story. You have to be fair.”Later, Mr. Seifman told me, “I came up through a system that basically taught you, you have to present all sides of the story. You have to be fair.”
Asked about his longevity in the ever-changing news industry, Mr. Seifman demurred. He was never one for grandstanding, and he rarely made television appearances; his Twitter profile is nondescript.)Asked about his longevity in the ever-changing news industry, Mr. Seifman demurred. He was never one for grandstanding, and he rarely made television appearances; his Twitter profile is nondescript.)
As for The Post’s longevity, he said, few newspapers today have “very strong identities.”As for The Post’s longevity, he said, few newspapers today have “very strong identities.”
“You either hate The Post or you love The Post,” Mr. Seifman said. “Very few people in between.”“You either hate The Post or you love The Post,” Mr. Seifman said. “Very few people in between.”
He added: “Why would you want to read a bland newspaper that doesn’t either make you laugh or make you angry or make you happy or tell you something you didn’t expect? Or entertain you?”He added: “Why would you want to read a bland newspaper that doesn’t either make you laugh or make you angry or make you happy or tell you something you didn’t expect? Or entertain you?”
It’s Wednesday — try reading a newspaper.It’s Wednesday — try reading a newspaper.
Dear Diary:Dear Diary:
It was a hot Saturday night, and construction at the Queens-Midtown Tunnel had snarled things so badly that nothing was moving.It was a hot Saturday night, and construction at the Queens-Midtown Tunnel had snarled things so badly that nothing was moving.
Several bored police officers with flashlights were trying to keep things under control. One of them, a woman, was dancing with her flashlight. She looked to be having a great time.Several bored police officers with flashlights were trying to keep things under control. One of them, a woman, was dancing with her flashlight. She looked to be having a great time.
Suddenly, a large man got out of a big white Lincoln and approached her. I was worried that he was ready to pick a fight.Suddenly, a large man got out of a big white Lincoln and approached her. I was worried that he was ready to pick a fight.
Instead, he started dancing with her for a minute or two until traffic began to move again. Then he got back in his car and drove away.Instead, he started dancing with her for a minute or two until traffic began to move again. Then he got back in his car and drove away.
— Jean Speiser— Jean Speiser
New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.
We’re experimenting with the format of New York Today. What would you like to see more (or less) of? Post a comment or email us: nytoday@nytimes.com.We’re experimenting with the format of New York Today. What would you like to see more (or less) of? Post a comment or email us: nytoday@nytimes.com.