Deadly Encounter with Needlefish Off Jersey Coast

Recently, a swimmer was wounded in the leg by an Atlantic needlefish while swimming near Long Beach Island. The rare incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. on June 21, highlighting the potential danger of this fish species.

Needlefish are long, slender fish with a sharp, elongated bill, closely related to flying fish. They are typically found in shallow tropical or temperate coastal waters worldwide, inhabiting both clear and brackish environments. Usually feeding on shrimp and small fish, needlefish pose minimal threat to humans.

The injured swimmer was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center for treatment. Although the injury was unprovoked, needlefish can reach lengths of up to 3.5 feet and weigh as much as 5 pounds.

Initially, there was speculation that a shark attack was involved. This was fueled by the sighting of a notably large great white shark measuring 11 feet and weighing 761 pounds off the nearby beaches just a day earlier. Thankfully, the great white has since moved north to Nantucket.

While these encounters are rare, there have been notable incidents, such as a 2020 case in Indonesia where a young angler was severely injured after a needlefish leapt out of the water and pierced his neck. Historically, needlefish have been involved in deadly incidents, including a 1977 Hawaii fishing trip where a young boy was fatally injured after a leaping fish pierced his eye.

With needlefish occasionally being mistaken for sharks during reports, awareness is important for beachgoers. These fish generally prefer shallow coastal waters but can sometimes surprise swimmers with their agility and sharp bills.