Shark
patrols have been stepped up along Jones Beach after two lifeguards were bitten
along the South Shore this week.
Officials
have started using drones to scan the ocean for schools of fish, which sharks
typically follow.
“When
the fish come close to the beach and the sharks are feeding on the fish, that's
when we want to be a little more leery about potentially pulling the swimmers
out of the water for safety,” says Lifeguard Supervisor Cary Epstein.
Lifeguards
say drone patrols will be more frequent in light of the recent shark
encounters. They will also continue to look out for distressed swimmers and
sharks from the stand. They say the average swimmer should not be overly
concerned about the attacks.
Swimmers
like Alan Porter-Jackson say they're keeping the recent shark attacks in mind,
but not letting it ruin their day.
“I'm
always a little nervous,” says Porter-Jackson. “But I just try to keep it in
the back of my mind and just go have fun.”
An
additional dozen drone operators are being trained to work state park beaches
and will be fully licensed in two weeks.