New York Adds More Drones to Monitor for Sharks at Beaches
By MATTHEW WEISSMAN
As Memorial Day Weekend marked the unofficial start of summer, New York State is expanding its use of drone technology to monitor for Sharks along Long Island's beaches. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that State Parks will increase its fleet to 46 drones and have up to 67 certified drone operators by July.
The drones will be used by lifeguards, Park Police, and other park staff to monitor the water for sharks and other marine activity that could cause issues, allowing officials to identify potential hazards faster. If a shark is found in the area, swimming will be stopped until it is safe again to re-enter the waters.
State officials say the expanded drone program will strengthen beach surveillance efforts and help provide a safer experience for the millions of visitors expected at Long Island beaches this summer. This has proved to be necessary over the past few years, as shark sightings continue to be a serious issue for L.I. beaches.
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