NYC police deploy drones to monitor beaches after increase in shark sightings

The New York Police Department announced a summer program that uses unmanned aerial vehicles to watch over the city’s beaches after a series of shark sightings along the Northeast coast. The initiative, reported by local weather and news outlets, is intended to assist lifeguards and provide early warning of potential shark encounters for swimmers.

Data from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File show 105 shark-human incidents worldwide last year, including 65 unprovoked bites and 29 provoked bites, with 25 of those incidents occurring in the United States and one fatality. The museum noted that overall numbers were similar to previous years, though the fatality rate was slightly higher.

In July, city officials temporarily closed several beaches and issued red-flag warnings from the Rockaway area to Long Island after multiple shark sightings, including reports of bull sharks, which are more common in warmer waters. More than two dozen sightings have been recorded at Rockaway Beach since late May, with the highest concentration between July 1 and 5.

Police drones will operate alongside lifeguard teams to monitor swimmer activity and alert authorities to any shark presence, aiming to reduce the risk of attacks while maintaining public access to the waterfront.