Gov. Hochul gives Long Island added drones, pilots to monitor shark activity at state parks

Gov. Kathy Hochul said state park police and lifeguards will have more drones and drone pilots to monitor Long Island waters for sharks through the summer and ahead of the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The state gave Long Island state park officials six additional drones, making 28 available for South Shore beaches, including at Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks. The state also trained eight additional drone pilots, adding to 40 previously trained lifeguards and state park police patrolling the coastline.

The increased efforts come a week after a 20-year-old woman suffered minor cuts believed to be caused by a juvenile sand tiger shark while she was standing in waist-deep murky waters at Jones Beach.

"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 in a statement. "We are continuing to strengthen our shark surveillance capabilities and safety tactics at these beaches to help protect these treasured summertime traditions. I encourage all beachgoers to stay safe, stay alert and always follow the direction of lifeguards and park staff."

State park police also received one "large enterprise drone" with thermal imaging, laser range finding and infrared cameras to survey for sharks at night or during bad weather. The drone can also drop life rafts during emergency rescues. 

"Our staff is well prepared to safeguard beachgoers this summer season, and we’re excited to adopt the latest technology to be even more effective," said Randy Simons, state parks commissioner pro tem.

Long Island officials said this week that they would increase efforts to monitor the water for shark activity. Officials have not reported any additional sightings after last week's incident at Jones Beach. Experts believe the bite was accidental.

An Island Park fisherman reported a shark bite last year and there were five shark bites reported in 2023 during July Fourth weekend off Long Island.

State park officials and officials with the Department of Environmental Conservation work to confirm shark sightings. They are part of a network of more than 200 members, known as the Long Island Coastal Awareness Group, to communicate with surrounding beaches if a shark is reported nearby. Lifeguards can clear the water if necessary for at least an hour until the waters are deemed safe.

Nassau County police also said this week that they would use police helicopters and boats to patrol the waters looking for any shark activity or schools of small bait fish that may attract sharks closer to shore.

Hempstead Town officials, which provide lifeguards to beaches from Point Lookout to Lido Beach and also East Atlantic Beach, have a "shark patrol" of lifeguards on jet skis to monitor the waters and launch drones if a sighting is reported. Long Beach lifeguards also patrol waters on jet skis daily.

Experts say Long Island has always had a strong shark population and is known as a pupping ground in the Great South Bay, where sharks can nurse their young, free of any additional predators.

There have been 24 shark bites off New York in more than 180 years of tracking them, according to the University of Florida. None of the bites were fatal.

Hochul distributed about 60 drones to state park officials and New York City beaches two years ago after a rash of shark incidents in 2022 when eight minor bites and scrapes were reported. 

New York City also received more than 20 drones, and drones were given to Westchester County to monitor Long Island Sound. 

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.