As Great Whites Patrol Surfside, a Drone Patrols the Sharks

As if rip current’s weren’t terrifying enough, the dozen or so great white sharks that have taken up residence in Surfside over the last month have learned to patrol them for an easy meal.

This insight into local shark habits comes courtesy of the Seal Beach Marine Safety Department’s new $1400 drone. Purchased to help photograph the department’s annual Jr. Lifeguard Program, the drone is turning out to have several uses that could help save money and lives, said Marine Safety Department Joe Bailey.

Bailey first noticed the drone’s value with the rare appearance of great white sharks in Seal Beach in May. Each time a shark is reported and before shark warnings can be posted along the beach, a lifeguard has to go out on a jetski to spot the sharks. The process can take as long as two hours, and the results are often mixed, said Bailey.

But on Monday, Bailey was able to find four great whites with ease using the drone.

“The whole thing took me 20 minutes,” said Bailey. “It’s been the most effective way to spot sharks. Every time we’ve flown it, we have seen sharks. We’ve used it so successfully to find the sharks, we have started to realize there could be a number of great uses.”

In addition to spotting the sharks, the drone images also enable lifeguards to measure them. Their length determines whether the beach is closed or if posting warning signs is sufficient. So far, the sharks have averaged between five and six-feet in length, small enough that they are unlikely to be a threat to humans because they prey on small fish and stingrays, said Bailey.

The drone has also proven to be superior at spotting riptides. Photos by the drone clearly show the shape and length of riptides that are sometimes hard to spot from the beach, Bailey said.

“You can see them clear as day from 100 feet up,” he added.

In the worst case scenario - a drowning - a drone could be used to help find a submerged victim, said Bailey. it can take considerable time to mobilize a helicopter, but a drone can be on the scene within two minutes manpower permitting, he said.

Despite its promise, the drone is raising concerns for residents and city leaders, who worry about abuses and privacy violations. Some have worried drones could be used to leer at unsuspecting beachgoers or to see inside the homes lining the shore.

At a recent city meeting, the City Council ordered a policy to be established to ensure the drone isn’t being abused.

“Understandably people have privacy concerns. No one wants a drone in their front window,” said Bailey. “We are only going to be using this for official business, and that is not official business.”

Photo: Surfside Great Whites courtesy of the Seal Beach Marine Safety Department’s drone.