A tragic shark attack has sparked a $4.2 million investment in NSW's shark management program, with a focus on enhanced surveillance and public safety. This comes after a series of attacks, including the fatal incident involving 12-year-old Nico Antic, who sadly passed away from his injuries.
The Fight Against Shark Attacks: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The additional funding will be directed towards various initiatives, including the deployment of drones for shark surveillance, bull shark tagging, and critical shark safety education.
Drones will be a key tool, with an increased presence at 80 beaches until the end of the April school holidays. These semi-autonomous drones will provide an additional 35,000 hours of flight time, covering the NSW coast.
"The drones can fly in high winds and are equipped with sirens and speakers. They can identify sharks and monitor their movements, allowing us to temporarily close beaches and ensure public safety," explains Steve Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW.
But here's where it gets controversial: the drones won't operate during the riskiest times for shark activity - dawn and dusk.
"It's not a perfect solution, but it's a significant step forward," says Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty.
Bull Shark Tagging: A Targeted Approach
Authorities believe a bull shark was responsible for the attack on Nico Antic, and as a result, targeted bull shark tagging will be implemented. This involves catching and tagging bull sharks in Sydney Harbour to monitor their movements.
"We're making it easier to tag and catch bull sharks in Sydney Harbour, but we're also exploring options for the oceans," Moriarty explains.
This initiative builds upon existing shark tagging operations, which have processed over 2,500 sharks in NSW, but only 250 bull sharks.
"By targeting bull sharks, we can significantly increase the number of tagged sharks and improve our understanding of their movements," says Marcel Green, who leads the NSW Department of Primary Industries shark program.
Beachgoers can track the movements of tagged sharks using the SharkSmart app.
Shark Listening Devices and Safety Education
The state government will also install shark listening devices in Sydney Harbour, similar to those already in place at ocean beaches. These devices alert users to the presence of sharks within 500m of a listening station.
"We're committed to increasing shark safety awareness," Moriarty emphasizes. "We'll be investing in education, reaching out to beaches, and having experts educate the public on the risks and when it's safer to swim."
This initiative is particularly timely as lifesavers and lifeguards prepare for one of the busiest days of the year - Australia Day.
"If a beach is closed due to a shark, please respect the decision and stay out of the water. It's not worth the risk," Moriarty urges.
With tens of thousands of people expected to flock to the beaches this weekend, the importance of these measures cannot be overstated.
"This weekend is a critical time for surf lifesaving. We have over 1,000 volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards on duty, and all 129 surf clubs are mobilized. Public holidays, especially Australia Day, see a higher risk of drowning, so we urge everyone to be cautious," Pearce concludes.
