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Man possibly injured by skate while swimming at Ventnor City beach: officials

Updated  August 26, 2024 12:44pm EDT
Atlantic County
FOX 29 Philadelphia
Atlantic Ocean article

The brief

    • Officials say swimmer more likely injured by skate than shark
    • Skates, commonly referred to as rays, have barbs on their tails
    • Swimming on Ventnor City beaches has been restricted to ankle-deep water as officials continue to investigate

VENTNOR CITY, N.J. - Officials in Ventnor City say a swimmer who received first aid over the weekend for a hand injury was likely not bitten by a shark, but possibly encountered a skate.

The swimmer was in the ocean around 9:30 a.m. Sunday when officials say he "may have encountered a skate, which has barbs on its tail."

"The cause is not confirmed to be a shark bite," Mayor Tim Kriebel told FOX 29. "It’s more likely that the bather may have encountered a skate." 

A skate, commonly referred to as a ray, is native to the New Jersey shore. Kriebel said it's normal to see an increase in marine activity due to the warm late summer waters.

As a precaution, Ventnor City has restricted swimming at nearby beaches to ankle-deep water. Officials urge swimmers to only use guarded beaches between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.