The answer to whether sharks inhabit the Long Island Sound is definitively yes. As a tidal estuary connected to the Atlantic Ocean, the Sound naturally hosts a variety of marine life, including several shark species. Their presence is a normal part of the marine ecosystem, though the density and size of the sharks found here often differ from those in the open ocean. Their regular presence is a sign of a recovering and healthy marine environment.
Confirmed Shark Species in the Sound
The Long Island Sound is home to a few species considered common residents, primarily smaller types. The most frequently encountered sharks are the smooth dogfish and the spiny dogfish, which are small, slender sharks typically measuring under five feet in length. These dogfish species are bottom-dwellers, often hunting in packs for crabs, lobsters, and smaller fish.
Larger species are also regular inhabitants, notably the sand tiger shark and the sandbar shark, also known as the brown shark. Sand tiger sharks can grow up to 10 feet long; despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally not considered a threat to humans. Sandbar sharks can reach about eight feet and use the Sound as a nursery ground, with females giving birth in the shallow bays. Occasionally, larger, more transient visitors travel through the Sound, such as common thresher sharks, blue sharks, and even the rare great white shark, which was tracked into the western Sound in 2019.
Environmental Factors Attracting Sharks
The Long Island Sound is a nutrient-rich estuary, making it an attractive habitat for sharks, especially during warmer months. Its waters serve as a productive feeding ground, supporting large populations of prey species. The abundance of menhaden, often called “bunker fish,” is a primary draw, as this oily forage fish forms a major part of the diet for many sharks.
Seasonal water temperature variations play a significant role in determining when certain species are present. Most shark activity peaks in the summer when the water is warmest, as many species migrate north from the New York Bight to New England. As sea surface temperatures rise, some species, such as the sandbar shark, are predicted to linger in northern waters longer than in the past. The Sound’s varied depths and relatively high salinity, particularly near the eastern entrance, also provide suitable conditions for both resident and migratory sharks.
Assessing the Risk of Interaction
Despite the presence of various shark species, the statistical risk of a dangerous encounter in the Long Island Sound is extremely low. Experts emphasize that sharks are not seeking out humans, and most incidents are thought to be cases of mistaken identity. The sharks found in the Sound are typically more interested in their natural prey, such as the plentiful bunker fish.
Historically, unprovoked shark attacks in the waters of Connecticut and New York have been exceedingly rare. The likelihood of a swimmer being fatally attacked by a shark is estimated at about one in four million. The typical behavior of common resident sharks, such as the dogfish and sand tiger sharks, involves staying away from surface swimmers or feeding on the bottom.
To minimize the already remote risk of an interaction, the public can follow simple safety measures:
- Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are often more active and visibility is poor.
- Refrain from entering the water near fishing activity, as bait and discarded fish attract sharks.
- Avoid swimming in murky water or swimming alone.
These are practical steps to reduce the chances of a shark mistaking a person for a prey animal.