Hochul announces more drones, staff to patrol for sharks on Long Island beaches
Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend and in preparation for beach season, Hochul said the state would increase the number of drones patrolling the Long Island State Park beaches and add additional drone operators to patrol the waters for unsafe conditions.
State officials say lifeguards with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) continuously monitor the water from the shore, surfboats and personal watercraft for signs of dangerous marine life, including sharks.
NYS Park Police and other staff also patrol the beachfront, using drones to scan for sharks or large schools of fish that might attract them.
As part of the new measures announced Wednesday, six drones have been added to the existing fleet of 22, bringing the total to 28 drones in operation. The number of certified drone operators has also increased from 40 to 48, officials said.
One 'large enterprise drone' will also be in use by Park Police, equipped with thermal imaging, laser range-finding and high-quality cameras to enable nighttime surveillance and patrols in adverse weather conditions. This drone can also drop personal flotation devices in emergencies, according to the governor's office.
'Our Long Island State Park beaches are cherished by New Yorkers and visitors alike — perfect places to get offline, get outside and enjoy the outdoors,' Hochul said Wednesday in a news release. 'We are continuing to strengthen our shark surveillance capabilities and safety tactics at these beaches to help protect these treasured summertime traditions.'
When sharks are spotted, swimming will be suspended until at least one hour after the last confirmed sighting, with swimmers cleared from the water. State Parks staff, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Conservation, will verify sightings, as lifeguards and NYS Park police will 'stay on high alert and patrol the waters for dangerous marine life,' officials said.
Additionally, the Long Island Coastal Awareness Group — more than 200 individuals from municipalities, agencies and private beach operators from Queens through Long Island — will be notified so they can take appropriate action in their respective jurisdictions.
Last week, a 20‑year‑old woman was reportedly bitten by 'unknown marine life' — likely by a juvenile sand tiger shark — while waist-deep in the surf at the Central Mall beachfront of Jones Beach State Park, the OPRHP said Friday. She sustained non-life-threatening lacerations to her left foot and leg and was treated at Nassau County University Medical Center Hospital.
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