NSW boosts shark surveillance with year-round drone patrols
NSW invests $34 million in year-round drone and AI surveillance to monitor sharks at 70 beaches, responding to increased attacks and reduced beach attendance.
The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced a major expansion of shark surveillance using drones and artificial intelligence, aiming to enhance beach safety year-round. Premier Chris Minns stated the move comes in response to a spate of shark attacks that have deterred people from visiting beaches, even during winter.
The government will allocate an additional $34 million to scale up drone coverage across approximately 70 beaches, operating 365 days a year. Priority will be given to high-traffic areas and locations with increased shark incidents. The expanded monitoring begins July 1, covering all Sydney beaches, increasing from 26 to 38. Additionally, two SharkSmart listening stations will be installed in Sydney Harbour to alert swimmers to tagged sharks.
While acknowledging that the system is not foolproof, Minns emphasized that more drones will provide earlier detection and warnings. He reiterated opposition to culling great white sharks, a protected species, citing their vast migration ranges. However, bull sharks, frequenting estuaries, will be studied, particularly in Sydney Harbour, to ensure public safety.
