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Shark Season Alert: NY Urges Beachgoers to Be 'Shark Smart'
30 Jun
Summary
- New York warns of increased shark activity during the June-September migration.
- State expands drone surveillance to monitor sharks and attractants.
- Shark presence is a positive sign of a healthy marine ecosystem.
New York officials are advising beachgoers to be "Shark Smart" as the annual summer migration brings sharks into coastal waters. This pattern is observed along the East Coast from Maine to Florida. Researchers and officials emphasize that these sightings are part of a normal migration and a healthy marine ecosystem, not an indication of unusual aggression or unprecedented numbers.
The state has issued new "Shark Smart" guidance for the June-through-September period, recommending precautions like avoiding murky water and swimming at dusk or dawn. To enhance safety, New York's Long Island State Parks are deploying 46 drones, an increase from previous years, to monitor for sharks and schools of fish. Over 13 shark species migrate through New York waters annually, and their presence is considered a positive ecological indicator.
Similar patterns are noted elsewhere. New Jersey is monitoring tagged white sharks offshore. In Maine, a "shark flag" was raised in Harpswell after a Great White sighting. Massachusetts is expanding research on Cape Cod, including tagging juvenile white sharks. Florida, historically experiencing the most shark bites, has seen a recent decline in incidents, with 11 unprovoked bites in 2025, below its five-year average.
