NSW to boost drone surveillance at beaches after deadly shark attacks

NSW is taking action after multiple deadly shark attacks in recent months.

NSW is boosting drone surveillance at beaches this summer after deadly shark attacks in recent months.

The Minns government on Sunday announced it will pump an extra $2.5m into NSW’s Shark Management Program to buy more shark detection drones for Surfing NSW and equip more beaches with shark bite kits.

Planned drone monitoring for dozens of beaches will also kick off on December 13 – a week earlier than planned.

The action comes after the death of veteran surfer Mercury Psillakis in September.

He was attacked by a white shark believed to be up to 3.6 metres while on his regular morning surf at Long Reef Beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Mr Psillakis’ body was found floating in the water missing multiple limbs.

Mercury Psillakis was killed by while on his usual morning surf. Picture: Nine News

“I met with Maria and Mike Psillakis who have been tragically impacted by the death of their husband and brother, Mercury, at Dee Why Beach in September following a shark attack,” Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said.

“We spoke about increasing protection for boardriders and recognising the role of surfers in beach safety as a legacy for Mercury.

“This is why the Minns government is now increasing funding for Surfing NSW so they can rollout a comprehensive drones and training program for their many clubs between Newcastle and Wollongong, as a significant contribution to honouring his legacy.”

Mr Psillakis was well-known in the community. Picture: Supplied

She said drones have “shown to be an effective eye in the sky when it comes to early shark detection and warning beach users” and flagged that they could be used to patrol more of NSW’s 2100km coastline.

“While there is no 100 per cent safeguard to protect people from shark interactions, a mix of technologies and public awareness will increase safety,” Ms Moriarty said.

She also urged beachgoers to use the SharkSmart app.

Surfing NSW chief executive Lucas Townsend said that “turning a tragic event into recognition and support for the role surfers play in keeping our beaches safer is an incredible legacy” for Mr Psillakis

The fresh funding also comes after a 25-year-old Swiss tourist died in a shark attack at a remote beach some 300km north of Sydney late last month.

Olivia Mulheim was killed in a shark attack at a remote NSW beach. Picture: Supplied

Thirty-two beaches will be covered by daily patrols from the early start date on December 13.

Coverage will increase to 50 beaches by December 20.

The daily patrols will cover the Christmas period and most of January before switching to weekend-only patrols until March 2026.

An extra 150 shark bite kits will also be distributed to beaches outside metropolitan areas.

Surf Life Saving NSW welcomed the announcement as a “significant enhancement to our continued partnership with the NSW government to keep our beaches as safe as possible”.

“Last summer alone, 50 Surf Life Saving NSW drones flying from Tweed to Bega completed 18027 flights over 4897 flying hours,” chief executive Steve Pearce said.

“During that time 815 sharks were sighted including 41 bull sharks, 45 white sharks and 729 unknown sharks.

“Our lifeguards and lifesavers enacted 115 countermeasures including 88 beach evacuations plus other countermeasures including beach siren, drone siren, and IRB/RWC.”

Originally published as NSW to boost drone surveillance at beaches after deadly shark attacks