New York's beaches are employing advanced drone technology to monitor for sharks and enhance public safety as the summer holiday season begins. The initiative aims to reduce the risk of shark bites, which saw a significant decrease last summer following a period of increased activity in 2022 and 2023.
Lifeguard supervisors like Cary Epstein at Jones Beach are using drones to patrol the coastline, from Rockaway Beach to Montauk. These drones are flown at least three times daily to observe the waters. While directly spotting sharks in the often murky coastal waters can be challenging, operators focus on identifying large schools of bunker fish, a primary food source for sharks. The presence of these bait fish indicates a higher likelihood of sharks being in the vicinity.
"If you look, you shall find. We’re using that technology in the name of public safety to help prevent something from happening," said Epstein. "The likelihood is really, really slim, but it can happen."
Last summer, only one shark incident was reported on Long Island's south shore, a marked reduction from the 13 encounters recorded in the summers of 2022 and 2023. The single incident last year involved minor injuries, and it was initially difficult to attribute them to a shark, according to Epstein. In contrast, a three-week period in 2023 saw five such encounters.
State officials have increased their investment in shark monitoring tools. Governor Hochul has expanded Long Island's drone fleet to 46 drones and 67 operators for the current year. This technological enhancement is credited with contributing to the safer beach conditions.
Sharks typically begin frequenting New York shores around the July 4th holiday as water temperatures rise, attracting their prey. While experts anticipate shark presence in the coming weeks, the exact behavior and numbers remain unpredictable. Frank Quevedo, executive director of the South Fork Natural History Museum, noted that factors like weather, water temperature, and food availability influence shark movements. He also mentioned that successful conservation efforts may be contributing to increased shark populations.
Quevedo emphasized that most shark encounters are accidental, resulting from sharks investigating potential prey. "They’re definitely not attacks. They’re experimental bites, if anything," he stated. "The sharks are just looking to feed on and survive. If we’re in that habitat where we’re in their way, we may have an incident with a shark."
Lifeguards use drone-spotted bait fish as an indicator of potential shark presence. When large pods of bunker fish are observed near swimming areas, lifeguards clear bathers from the vicinity to prevent accidental encounters until the fish and sharks move on. Officials remind beachgoers that entering the ocean inherently carries a risk, as it is the natural habitat for marine life.