Home / Environment / Drones Patrol NSW Beaches for Sharks
Drones Patrol NSW Beaches for Sharks
1 Sep
Summary
- New South Wales has deployed drones for shark monitoring at 70 beaches.
- A $34 million government initiative funds dawn-to-dusk drone surveillance.
- Experts call drones the best current technology for shark detection.
New South Wales is enhancing beach safety with a $34 million drone monitoring program, now active at 70 beaches. This initiative provides dawn-to-dusk surveillance, with 38 Sydney beaches, including Coogee, receiving year-round coverage. The program aims to bolster shark mitigation following several high-profile shark encounters in the past year.
Drone operators like Taha Kafil-Hussain continuously scan the waters for any unusual movement, a task experts like Associate Professor Christopher Pepin-Neff identify as the most effective current technology. Despite its advantages, Pepin-Neff notes that windy conditions can impede visibility, and emphasizes the need for public education to manage expectations and avoid undue fear. Since July 1, over 750 shark sightings and 200 intervention actions have been recorded.
While drones are a significant advancement, they are not a complete solution. The program complements other technologies like SMART drum lines and shark listening stations tracking thousands of target sharks. Non-lethal methods are favored, with experts unequivocally stating that shark nets and culling are ineffective. The overarching advice for beachgoers remains to swim between the flags.
