Bay Head — The mayor of this Jersey Shore borough is urging caution after instances of fishermen chumming coastal water, saying the practice can lure sharks closer to places where people swim and gather on the beach.
Mayor highlights technique, potential pathways
Mayor Bill Curtis told ABC News that some anglers have used drones to deposit bait offshore and that those baited particles could drift toward bathing areas. He also suggested kayaks might be used to place chum farther from boats.
"If there's no chum, and [the sharks] see a child swimming frantically in the water, they could easily mistake that for chum -- and I do not want to have or see anyone hurt -- or worse, killed -- by a shark who is being lured into our beach," Curtis said.
Curtis likened the scenario to the film Jaws, saying the only element missing was the soundtrack. He described chumming as "unconscionable," arguing it purposefully brings predators nearer to shore.
What is allowed now
Under current local practice, fishing off the beach is permitted during early morning and evening hours, the mayor said. Chumming itself is not outlawed, and anglers who fish from the shoreline do so during those permitted periods. Curtis stressed that once the designated public bathing beach opens, fishermen are not supposed to be on the bathing beach, but emphasized that marine predators do not follow human schedules.
"They'll be there because they're looking for food. And yeah, I guess I am frantic. I don't want anybody to get hurt," Curtis added.
Regional context: increased sightings
Officials and experts have noted a rash of shark sightings along the Eastern Seaboard this summer, a pattern attributed in part to unusually warm water temperatures that have drawn some species closer to shore.
Reported examples include a Great White off the coast of Maine and a tiger shark observed near Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Local leaders on the coast have grown more vocal about practices they say could magnify encounter risks.
| Report | Location |
|---|---|
| Great White sighting | Maine |
| Tiger shark sighting | Cape Cod, Massachusetts |
Practical implications for beachgoers and anglers
Mayor Curtis’s warning raises practical questions about how coastal municipalities balance recreational fishing with swimmer safety. The situation underscores several immediate points beach users and anglers should know:
- Fishing hours: Shoreline fishing typically is allowed in early morning and evening; check local beach rules for exact times.
- Chumming: The practice of dispersing bait in the water is not banned in the mayor’s jurisdiction, though officials discourage it near bathing areas.
- Marine behavior: Sharks are influenced by food sources and water temperature, and do not respect human-designated swimming times.
What’s next
Mayor Curtis’s comments put pressure on local authorities to consider whether additional restrictions or clearer enforcement measures are necessary to reduce potential conflicts between anglers and swimmers. Any regulatory changes would depend on local ordinances and potentially state guidance on recreational fishing and public-safety protections.
For now, municipal leaders and lifeguards will likely emphasize awareness: swimmers and parents should heed posted warnings and lifeguard instructions, and anglers are being urged to avoid practices that could attract predators into busy bathing zones.
As the season continues and water conditions evolve, coastal towns across the region are watching sightings and management approaches in neighboring states to gauge whether further action is warranted at the municipal or state level.
Rohan Iyer is the state correspondent for WE NEWS covering New Jersey and coastal issues.
