Following the increased number of shark sightings last year, lifeguards covering the 100 miles of beach on Long Island are stepping up protective measures to ensure the safety of beachgoers.
In the past, shark sightings were incredibly rare, but since last summer, sharks preying on fish have come increasingly close to swimmers.
On Friday, July 2nd, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman held a news conference to announce that the county police would be increasing patrols with both helicopters and boats to monitor sharks.
Some beaches are taking even farther precautions, with some hiring additional staff to patrol the waters on jet skis, and some even hiring a fleet of drones to help spot sharks. Lifeguards are also adding new tourniquets to their med kits in case of a shark attack.
The drama surrounding shark attacks has been becoming increasingly frustrating for marine experts who say attacks are extremely rare.
Hans Walters, a field scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium thinks that the latest news about shark attacks was “very overblown,” also adding that there has been no evidence that the presence of sharks in the area has increased, and that people were finding more sharks only because they were trying harder to find sharks.
“The danger to people is infinitesimal,” he says.
To reassure swimmers, he also says, “Sharks are not interested in them”.
In the past, shark sightings were incredibly rare, but since last summer, sharks preying on fish have come increasingly close to swimmers.
On Friday, July 2nd, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman held a news conference to announce that the county police would be increasing patrols with both helicopters and boats to monitor sharks.
Some beaches are taking even farther precautions, with some hiring additional staff to patrol the waters on jet skis, and some even hiring a fleet of drones to help spot sharks. Lifeguards are also adding new tourniquets to their med kits in case of a shark attack.
The drama surrounding shark attacks has been becoming increasingly frustrating for marine experts who say attacks are extremely rare.
Hans Walters, a field scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium thinks that the latest news about shark attacks was “very overblown,” also adding that there has been no evidence that the presence of sharks in the area has increased, and that people were finding more sharks only because they were trying harder to find sharks.
“The danger to people is infinitesimal,” he says.
To reassure swimmers, he also says, “Sharks are not interested in them”.
