Shark Sighting Clears Water Off Long Branch Beach

Swimmers were evacuated from the ocean near Pier Village in Long Branch just after 1 p.m. after a shark was seen swimming in shallow water.

Long Branch Beach Manager Danny George said a 4-foot brown shark was spotted in the water at 1:15 p.m. and swimmers were immediately evacuated. Swimmers were allowed back in the water around 2 p.m. George said.

Brown sharks, also known as sandbar sharks, are not generally known as dangerous or to attack people, George said.

It was the second time bathers were evacuated Friday.

Around 12:30 p.m., several sting rays were seen in the same area and people were asked to leave the water for about 30 minutes, George said.

No swimmers were injured during either evacuation, George said.