It's up for debate...

A few people have noticed what they thought were sharks swimming close to the shore in Monmouth Beach and Belmar.  However, those in the know with ocean research, seem to believe they may be sting rays.

NJ.com gives one expert's insight,

Erich Ritter, research associate at the University of West Florida, said the video appears to show sharks feeding.

"The video shows a bunch of small(er) sharks, likely of the genus Carcharhinus," such as blacktips, spinners or silkies, Ritter said via email. "The way it looks to me is that they were feeding... normally they all stay in a bit deeper waters outside the breakers, but if something luring is around (like bait) they dare to come closer."

However, Gregory Skomal, senior marine fisheries scientist at the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries, and John Chisholm, also a scientist at the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries, said the video appears to be of a school of rays.

See the video at NJ.com and make your own decision!

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