State Tries To Take A Bite Out Of Shark Issue On New York Beaches

Lido beach and others across the southern shores of Long Island continued to be shut-down this past weekend, as a result of shark sightings and the recent string of predatory attacks on humans by the beasts of the sea. Most recently, local governments and municipalities have begged the State of New York to step-up their response. On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Empire State is ready to take on the increased shark population.

Beaches with no swimming in mid-July, as a result of shark attacks and sightings, is not good for a tourism business. Those municipalities and beach reliant businesses were looking to the governor's office to do something...anything about the "Jaws" brethren. According to John Valenti of newsday.com, Gov. Hochul announced that there will be increased shark surveillance efforts beginning on Monday, in order to improve safety for New York beachgoers. The increased surveillance will include the use of additional drone and helicopter monitoring.

Get our free mobile app

The governor's press release said that the New York State Parks Department will increase lifeguard staffing at ocean beaches by 25%. The costs for this huge increase will be paid for out of the state's over-time fund. Shoreline surveillance will include increased drone usage, as well as, Park Police boats and State Police helicopter patrols over South Shore ocean waters.

"As New Yorkers and visitors alike head to our beautiful Long Island beaches to enjoy the summer, our top priority is their safety," Governor Hochul said in the release. "We are taking action to expand patrols for sharks and protect beachgoers from potentially dangerous situations. I encourage all New Yorkers to listen to local authorities and take precautions to help ensure safe and responsible beach trips this summer."

If you are swimming off of one of the beaches on Long Island, you have a minuscule chance of interacting with a shark. However, think about this. It takes a decent swimmer about 2 minutes to swim 100 yards, even longer if the waves are bigger. It takes a shark about 35 seconds to swim the same distance. 30 yards from shore can be covered by the finned villain in about 10 seconds. You can't get out of the water from that distance as quickly as your shark friend can maneuver the yardage. You lose. Chances are, you'll never see a shark while swimming in the ocean but these days, be cautious. You are swimming in the lair of a deadly predator that has acquired a taste for humans this summer.