Home / Environment / NSW Sharks Evade Drones: 1200 Detections Trigger Beach Closures
NSW Sharks Evade Drones: 1200 Detections Trigger Beach Closures
27 Sep
Summary
- Over 1200 shark detections by drones led to 360 beach interventions in NSW.
- A two-meter great white was spotted in the shallows at Sydney's northern beaches.
- Drone surveillance aims to prevent fatal shark attacks after recent tragedies.
Shark surveillance drones patrolling NSW waters during winter led to hundreds of beach evacuations, with over 1200 detections recorded in July and August. These sightings triggered 360 interventions, such as alarms and jet ski deployments. Notable incidents included a four-meter bull shark on the Mid North Coast and multiple sharks near whale pods.
A two-meter great white was observed in the shallows at South Narrabeen, leading to beach closures. Similar sightings occurred near swimmers at other northern beaches and Coffs Harbour. The winter drone program was initiated after a series of fatal shark attacks.
The NSW government is expanding drone surveillance to 97 beaches, with 73 drones operational. This comprehensive $120 million program, one of the world's most extensive, aims to monitor for white, bull, and tiger sharks and enable swift countermeasures. Trials of artificial intelligence for shark detection are also underway.
