New drone patrols are set to take to the skies above 70 beaches in New South Wales, Australia, as part of a £17.7m programme aimed at boosting public confidence in beach safety after a spate of shark sightings and attacks. The dawn-to-dusk surveillance will provide year-round coverage for Sydney's ocean beaches, as well as other key locations along the coast.
The comprehensive initiative, backed by A$34 million (£17.7 million) in funding from the state government, will see Surf Life Saving NSW manage drone operations at 38 of Sydney's beaches, stretching from Palm Beach to Cronulla, and a further 32 sites across the region. This investment is designed to ensure that high-traffic areas are protected, with at least one beach in every coastal local government area benefiting from enhanced surveillance.
As part of the programme, advanced artificial intelligence (AI) shark detection systems will be trialled over the coming summer, with a view to paving the way for fully automated drone flights in the future. This development has been described as "ambitious and bold" by Associate Professor Christopher Pepin-Neff, a shark policy expert from the University of Sydney.
However, Professor Pepin-Neff also cautioned that while increased drone presence may lead to greater awareness of sharks, it is essential to maintain realistic expectations about their capabilities. The expert likened interactions with the ocean to those with the bush, highlighting the unpredictable nature of marine environments.
Despite calls for a shark cull, particularly for protected species like great white sharks, Premier Chris Minns has resisted such measures. He pointed out that these sharks travel vast distances, making culling an ineffective solution. However, the government is considering alternative approaches for bull sharks, which are not a protected species.
The focus of the initiative remains on early detection and communication to beachgoers, providing timely warnings to prevent interactions with sharks. This proactive approach reflects the NSW government's commitment to balancing public safety with environmental considerations, leveraging technology to mitigate risks rather than resorting to measures that could harm marine ecosystems.