Five people have been injured by shark attacks at popular beaches in New York.
Now around 40 drones will help the lifeguards to monitor the beaches.
– We are more vigilant than ever before, says George Gorman, director of the Long Island state park.
None of the five people who have been bitten by sharks in the past week have been seriously injured. But the latest attacks, which took place over the course of two days, have caused concern.
Among other things, a 15-year-old boy was bitten in the foot while surfing off Fire Island, and a 47-year-old man was bitten in the knee off the south coast of Long Island.
Before 2022, about a dozen people had been attacked by sharks in New York, according to Fox News. But lately the attacks have increased. Last year, there were six shark attacks off the coast of Long Island over the course of three weeks.
Spotted a three meter long shark
On Thursday, people were advised to stay away from one of the beaches after a three-metre shark was spotted. Before that, 50 sand sharks were spotted by drones off the coast, delaying the opening of the beach.
Drones have previously been used to detect sharks, but yesterday New York’s governor announced that another 40 or so drones will be deployed to monitor the water.
– This year we’ve already had five bites, and the season has only just begun, says George Gorman according to NBC News.
Improved ecosystem may be the reason
Police have encouraged people to continue enjoying the beach, but are urging visitors to be vigilant both for sharks and schools of fish that can attract sharks.
It is unclear what is behind the attacks, but it may be due to an increase in small fish as a result of a healthier ecosystem. This, in turn, causes sharks to seek out the beaches, reports NBC News.