Jones Beach uses drones to increase shark patrol after recent attacks

Lifeguards at Smith Point Beach on Friday told News 12 Long Island the attacks are not making them think twice about getting in the water.

News 12 Staff

Jul 8, 2022, 9:41 PM

Updated 883 days ago

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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.