By GREGORY ZELLER //
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water … well, it is, thanks to enhanced shark-monitoring activities along Long Island beaches.
Governor Kathy Hochul pulled out her annual Chief Martin Brody impersonation Tuesday, outlining new state-agency monitoring capabilities for identifying shark activity near bathing beaches – including plans to double Albany’s drone patrols over Long Island State Park shorelines – before there’s blood in the water.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Police will also increase watercraft and helicopter surveillance off Long Island beaches, building on new shark-monitoring measures ordered by Hochul following a spate of 2022 shark attacks (none fatal) in Island waters.
Kathy Hochul: No, wait, that’s Chief Brody … but they have a lot in common today.
This year, state officials are sinking their teeth into shark-bite season before the worst of it surfaces, according to the governor, and that means more bite along Long Island’s jagged front lines.
“With New Yorkers and visitors alike preparing to enjoy our beautiful Long Island beaches all summer long, their safety is our top priority,” Hochul said Tuesday. “This year, we are taking further action to protect beachgoers by increasing surveillance to monitor for shark activity near beaches off the South Shore.”
The tools and techniques being called into action include 10 new surveillance drones, more than doubling the eight used in 2022.
Among the new remote fliers is a “large enterprise drone” packing a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging units and high-quality night-surveillance cameras. The State Police robot is built to fly in adverse weather conditions and can even deploy emergency personal-flotation devices.
The governor’s office also noted planned reinforcements for regional State Police patrols – 21 Long Island officers now, 12 more coming – and new “buffer zones” between swimming areas and surf-fishing areas. New York State Police Aviation will also be standing by to “respond as needed” when sightings occur.
Basil Seggos: Risk management.
On the civilian front, two new Yamaha WaveRunners have been assigned to certified lifeguards patrolling waters off Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks, doubling the number of personal watercraft on South Shore shark-spotting detail.
And back on land, State Parks environmental educators will host public-education outreach efforts covering shark habitats and behaviors throughout the season at Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Sunken Meadow state parks.
At the top of their educational dos and don’ts: Stay close to shore, swim in groups (and only during the midday hours), avoid murky water and stay away from splashing fish, diving birds and seals.
Calling sharks “a vital part of this ecosystem” and noting their “essential role in maintaining a healthy and balanced ocean,” New York State Department of Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos predicted a fun and safe summer for all, if two-legged ocean-goers follow the rules.
“New York’s ocean beaches and coastline are part of a wild and natural marine ecosystem,” Seggos said in a statement. “Human-shark interactions are relatively rare events in New York, [but] all beachgoers should follow DEC’s shark-safety guidance to minimize their risk of negative interactions with sharks.”
