New York officials are stepping up shark monitoring efforts in coastal areas and beaches along Long Island, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday said.
The effort — with monitoring on the land, sea and air — comes as the summer beach season is in full swing in New York and amid a rise in shark sightings and attacks near recreational areas.
"We need to keep our beaches safe," Hochul said during an unrelated stop on Long Island on Monday morning.
Beach and shoreline patrols, along with drones for aerial surveillance, will be used to help identfy when sharks are gathering. At the same time, the Department of Environmental Conservation is monitoring and tracking schools of sharks.
"It's earlier notification, but it's a more coordinated effort as well as adding more lifeguards for surveillance," Hochul said.
There have been five shark attacks on coastal areas near Long Island in the last two weeks.