Authorities are on high alert for sharks as thousands of people are expected to flock to Long Island beaches for Independence Day after a predator bit a beachgoer.

State and local authorities in New York are increasing patrols shark watching for the holiday weekend, and beachgoers will see more drones and helicopters in the air, as well as shark-watching equipment stationed along the shoreline.

“Our Long Island State Park beaches are treasured by New Yorkers and visitors alike; they are the perfect places to unwind, get outside, and enjoy the great outdoors,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

“We continue to strengthen our shark monitoring capabilities and safety measures at these beaches to help protect these cherished summer traditions,” she added. “I encourage all beachgoers to stay safe, be alert, and always follow the instructions of lifeguards and park staff.” The state has added six new drones to its shark-hunting arsenal, bringing the total to 28, along with eight newly trained drone pilots and a high-tech drone for park police, equipped with night vision, thermal imaging, and a laser rangefinder. Operating by land, air, and sea Lifeguards, marine officers, and patrol teams from Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as state park officers, will scour the waters by land, air, and sea with protocols in place to rescue beachgoers from the ocean as soon as a shark is sighted and keep them out for at least one hour after the last sighting. At the county level, Suffolk officials told The Post that authorities will conduct routine monitoring.

However, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced Monday that the county's marine police will be fully back on duty with additional patrols,the use of more drones than ever before, longer flight times for helicopters, and more boats on the water.

State Park Police will now assist both boroughs with additional patrols, using the new high-tech drone to detect sharks and send alerts to a coastal awareness network of more than 200 agencies, beach operators, and municipalities that stretches from Brooklyn and Queens to the East End.

“Our personnel are well prepared to protect beachgoers this summer, and we are excited to adopt the latest technology to be even more effective,” said New York State Parks Commissioner Randy Simons.

Officials urge beachgoers to stay close to shore, swim in groups, and avoid murky waters or areas with diving birds and schools of fish, where sharks could be lurking. Swimmers should always follow the instructions of lifeguards and park staff, they said.

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