NSW to boost drone surveillance at beaches after deadly shark attacks
NSW is stepping up drone surveillance on beaches this summer following deadly shark attacks in recent months.
The Minns government announced on Sunday it would pour an extra $2.5 million into the NSW Shark Management Program to buy more shark detection drones for Surfing NSW and equip more beaches with shark bite kits.
Drone monitoring planned for dozens of beaches will also begin on December 13, a week earlier than planned.
The action followed the death of veteran surfer Mercury Psillakis in September.
While doing regular morning surfing at Long Reef Beach on Sydney’s Northern Shores, he was attacked by a white shark thought to be up to 3.6 meters long.
Mr. Psillakis’ body was found floating in the water without multiple limbs.
“I spoke to Maria and Mike Psillakis, who were tragically affected by the death of their husband and brother Mercury following a shark attack at Dee Why Beach in September,” said NSW Regional Minister Tara Moriarty.
“We talked about increasing protection for boarders and recognizing surfers’ role in beach safety as a legacy for Mercury.
“That’s why the Minns government is making a significant contribution to honoring his legacy by increasing funding for Surfing NSW to be able to launch a comprehensive drone and training program for its clubs between Newcastle and Wollongong.”
He said drones “have demonstrated an effective eye in the sky for detecting sharks early and warning beach users” and signaled they could be used to patrol NSW’s 2100km coastline.
“While there is no 100 per cent protection that will protect people from shark interactions, a mix of technologies and public awareness will improve safety,” Ms Moriarty said.
He also urged beachgoers to use the SharkSmart app.
Surfing NSW CEO Lucas Townsend said Mr Psillakis “is an incredible legacy, turning a tragic event into recognition and support of the role surfers play in keeping our beaches safer.”
The new funding comes after a 25-year-old Swiss tourist died in a shark attack at a remote beach about 300 kilometers north of Sydney late last month.
Starting from the early start date of December 13, 32 beaches will be inspected by daily patrols.
Coverage will increase to 50 beaches by December 20.
Daily patrols will cover the Christmas period and most of January before switching to weekend-only patrols by March 2026.
An extra 150 shark bite kits will also be distributed to beaches outside metropolitan areas.
Surf Life Saving NSW welcomed the announcement as “a significant development in our ongoing partnership with the NSW government to keep our beaches as safe as possible”.
“Last summer alone, 50 Surf Life Saving NSW drones flying from Tweed to Bega completed 18027 flights in 4897 flight hours,” CEO Steve Pearce said.
“During this period, 815 sharks were sighted, including 41 bull sharks, 45 white sharks and 729 unknown sharks.
“Our lifeguards and lifeguards implemented 115 countermeasures, including 88 beach evacuations, as well as other countermeasures such as beach siren, drone siren, and IRB/RWC.”
