Drones are sweeping the ocean off Long Island, New York, to patrol the waters for danger after recent encounters between humans and sharks, reports Metro.
Over two days this week, five people reported being bitten by sharks on one of New York’s most popular beaches, prompting increased surveillance of the area’s waters.
A sighting of a 10-foot shark on Thursday prompted officials to keep people out of the water at Robert Moses State Park, the same Long Island beach that delayed its opening on July 4 after a drone spotted a group of 50 sand sharks on the shore.
George Gorman, director of Long Island State Parks, said: “We are now more vigilant than ever,” reports Metro.
Until a few years ago, encounters with sharks were rare. But recently there has been an increase in reports of shark bites.
Last year, it was reported that eight people were bitten by sharks swimming in the shallow waters off Long Island.
“This year, we’ve already had five bites. And the season has kind of just begun,” Mr Gorman said, reports Metro.
Even if the injuries are not serious, he and others are concerned about the increase in shark sightings and encounters.
Carrie Epstein, the lifeguard supervisor who operates drones at Jones Beach, said the small battery-powered plane makes three flights each day: once before it opens, then around noon, and a final round before the end of the day.
“Despite the nervousness over what’s going on right now in New York, people swim in the ocean every day, and they have for centuries. But we do have to remember that we are cohabitating, and this is their house,” he said, reports Metro.
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