Sydney’s beaches enter the drone age to get swimmers back in the water after spate of shark attacks
Seventy beaches across New South Wales are part of the $34m dawn-to-dusk drone monitoring program, which one expert has called ‘the best technology we have at the moment’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast “Hey Taha, what’s the visibility like?” shouts a man with a towel slung over his shoulder. “Uh, nice,” says Surf Life Saving New South Wales drone operator Taha…
Sydney's beaches have embraced drone technology to ensure swimmers feel safe despite recent shark attacks. Taha Kafil-Hussain, a drone operator with Surf Life Saving New South Wales, uses his drone to scan the waters near Coogee beach. Sometimes, he spots sharks, triggering the clearing of the water. This drone surveillance at Coogee, previously prohibited due to its proximity to Sydney airport's flight path, now operates from dawn to dusk under a $34 million government initiative.
Over 70 Sydney beaches are part of this program, with heightened surveillance during spring. While drones prove effective, experts note their limitations in low visibility or windy conditions. The drone surveillance has led to increased shark sightings, with 750 sightings and 200 intervention actions recorded since July. University of Sydney shark policy expert Christopher Pepin-Neff believes drones are the best current technology, but cautions against potential public fear.
Shark listening stations track various shark species, and drone operators can communicate directly with swimmers and surfers. Despite the technology's benefits, shark nets and culling remain standard shark mitigation measures.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian Australia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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