MORE SHARKS SPOTTED ON LI: Sightings temporarily close Lido and Jones beaches after extra drones deployed

LIDO BEACH, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- There have been five sightings of sharks off Long Island since late last week, officials said, as the state steps up drone patrols at beaches.

The latest confirmed sighting came Monday, when a seven-foot shark was spotted swimming 25 feet offshore at Lido Beach in Nassau County, according to the Town of Hempstead.

"Swimmers were evacuated promptly and the beach at Lido Beach is currently red-flagged," the town said in a news release Monday.

Swimming was set to resume at Lido Beach on Tuesday as the Town of Hempstead Shark Patrol continues to track the shark's whereabouts.

A shark was also spotted at Jones Beach on Monday—a sighting that came after two sharks were spotted at Hewlett Point Park in East Rockaway on Sunday. There were also shark sightings at Rockaway Beach in Queens on Sunday and last Thursday.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said lifeguards are trained to use drones, jet skis and small boats to search for sharks, which he said can come perilously close to swimmers in shallow waters.

"The initial sightings we've seen in this region the last couple years included bull sharks, and those are very aggressive sharks that actually like to come up to the wading area," Clavin said.

Five people were bitten by sharks last year on Long Island, while eight were bitten the year before.

Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state parks to add more drones and drone operators at state beaches on the island.

More than 40 drone pilots—which include lifeguards, park police and beach staff—are operating drones at Long Island state beaches. The drones use thermal imaging, laser range finding and cameras to patrol the waters, including at night. The drones can also drop flotation devices in emergencies.

The heightened shark risk is expected to last through September. More than 13 species of shark migrate through New York waters each year, officials said.