Manasquan Beach in New Jersey reopened to swimmers on Sunday morning after local officials and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) confirmed the removal of dozens of syringes and other debris that had washed ashore.
The syringes and related paraphernalia were discovered Saturday afternoon along the south end of the beach, near the Manasquan Inlet jetty. Officials believe the debris spill was a result of recent heavy rainfall and subsequent sewer overflows.
Mayor Michael Mangan stated that the town followed guidance from the NJDEP and Monmouth County health officials, waiting for two high-tide cycles to clear the waters before reopening. By 9 a.m. Sunday, officials determined the area was safe for public access.
However, a Manasquan resident, Priscilla Mahajan, reported finding additional items on Sunday, including needle plungers, syringe caps, cut straws, and small plastic baggies. Mahajan, who had participated in the cleanup efforts on Saturday, expressed concern that the beach reopened too quickly.
"One beach cleanup is definitely not enough to say something is safe," Mahajan told local outlet News 12. "We can't change what's in the ocean or what people have done in the past, but we can change our reaction to it."
This incident follows a separate, unusual event on the Jersey Shore less than two weeks prior, when nearly 30 dead juvenile dogfish sharks were found washed ashore in Sea Isle City. Shark ecologist Mike Heithaus described the shark discovery as rare, noting it did not appear to be consistent with a widespread toxin or pollution event. He suggested the sharks may have been caught and discarded.