In response to a recent increase in shark encounters with beachgoers, drones are now patrolling the waters off Long Island's coast, scanning for potential dangers beneath the surface.

Over the course of two days this week, five people reported being bitten by sharks at some of New York's popular beaches, prompting heightened surveillance efforts.

Following the sighting of a 10-foot (3-meter) shark on Thursday, officials advised people to stay out of the water at Robert Moses State Park. This same beach delayed its opening on July 4 due to a drone's identification of a group of 50 sand sharks near the coast.

"We are now more vigilant than ever," stated George Gorman, the park director for Long Island. "We have drones in the sky that watch over the waters. We have lifeguards on WaveRunners that watch over the waters."

While encounters with sharks were once rare, reports of shark bites have been increasing in recent years. Last year alone, eight people reported being bitten by sharks while swimming in the shallows off Long Island's beaches.

Gorman expressed concern over the rise in shark sightings and encounters, even if the injuries have been minor. Cary Epstein, a lifeguard supervisor who operates drones at Jones Beach, explained that the battery-powered aircraft conduct three sweeps each day: one before opening, another around midday, and a final one before closing.

Epstein highlighted that drones provide an additional vantage point that lifeguards on the beach don't have. They offer a view straight down into the water, which can be crucial in spotting shark activity.

However, Epstein cautioned that just because something is not visible doesn't mean it's not present. He emphasized that humans and sharks are cohabitating and that the ocean is their natural habitat.

In Florida, the state with the highest number of shark bites in the country, Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the addition of 10 drones to monitor shark activity along the state's beaches. The goal is to enhance surveillance and ensure the safety of beachgoers.

The increase in shark sightings could indicate a healthier ecosystem, as cleaner waters support the growth of small fish, which serve as prey for sharks. More small fish near the shore means an increased likelihood of shark activity.

Before 2022, New York had only recorded a dozen unprovoked shark bites. Over the past decade, there were only four reported cases of people being bitten by sharks, according to data from the International Shark Attack File.

Lifeguards, such as Carl Nowicki at Jones Beach State Park, keep a watchful eye for any signs of shark activity, such as large schools of bait fish. In the event that a drone spots a shark, lifeguards inform beachgoers once they have safely exited the water to prevent unnecessary panic. Photo by Don McCullough from Santa Rosa, CA, USA, Wikimedia commons.