New York.- New York and Long Island beaches are preparing to welcome thousands of visitors during the long weekend for the Independence Day celebration. However, what promises to be a day of sun and fun comes with a serious warning: alert for shark activity in waters near the coast.
State and local authorities have intensified surveillance protocols in high-traffic areas such as Jones Beach, Rockaway Beach, and Coney Island, after a woman was bitten by a shark in Nassau County in recent days, an event that adds to other incidents recorded in previous years.
“We want people to enjoy the summer safely. Our team is trained and equipped with cutting-edge technology to respond quickly to any threat,” declared Randy Simons, interim commissioner of New York State Parks.
Among the measures adopted is the incorporation of six new drones, which are added to a total of 28 devices deployed throughout the coastal strip. These teams, operated by certified pilots, have night vision, thermal cameras and long-range sensors. Helicopters, lifeguards, water patrols and ground personnel have also been deployed in areas such as Nassau, Suffolk and Queens.
Governor Kathy Hochul urged summer visitors to follow the safety recommendations issued by lifeguards and park authorities. “Long Island’s state beaches are iconic places for thousands of families. We continue to reinforce our capabilities so that everyone can enjoy with peace of mind, but it is key that bathers also do their part and remain vigilant,” she said in an official statement.
Authorities have issued a series of key suggestions to minimize the risk of encounters with sharks:
Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or in murky waters.
Do not enter areas where fish, diving seabirds, or seals are concentrated.
Stay close to the shore, in a group, and under surveillance.
Obey the instructions of the lifeguards and get out of the water at any sign of danger.
In case of sighting, the teams are prepared to evacuate the bathers and temporarily close access to the sea for at least one hour after the last confirmed report.
The fear of the presence of sharks in New York waters is not new. In August of last year, a woman was attacked in Rockaway Beach, in what was considered the first incident of this type in more than 70 years in the city. A month later, a thresher shark was stranded on a shore and was released by a bather.
Since 2023, the city’s Parks Department has been using FAA-certified drones to monitor the coast in real time and detect both sharks and people in danger.
The eight public beaches managed by the city of New York will remain open at least until September 7, as long as the weather is favorable and lifeguards are present. These are distributed in the boroughs of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, and include popular places such as:
Coney Island and Brighton Beach (Brooklyn)
Rockaway Beach (Queens)
Orchard Beach (The Bronx)
South Beach, Midland, and Cedar Grove (Staten Island)
With high temperatures and expected crowds this weekend, the combination of recreation and safety is once again a priority. Authorities remind that, although shark sightings are rare, intensive surveillance and citizen cooperation are key to avoiding incidents.
Before going out, it is advisable to consult the weather forecast through the
National Weather Service (NWS) or official state channels. The beaches are open, but nature also has its rules.
