Tiger sharks feast on 25-tonne whale carcass on north coast

IT was the ultimate seafood platter — three lucky tiger sharks got a free feast after coming across the carcass of a giant humpback whale drifting along the coast. Watch the dramatic video caught on a drone as part of shark aerial surveillance.

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IT was the ultimate seafood platter — three lucky tiger sharks got a free feast after coming across the carcass of a giant humpback whale drifting along the coast.

The feeding frenzy, which took place over a week in July, was captured by a drone as part of an aerial shark surveillance trial taking place in preparation for the summer beach season.

At an estimated 25 ­tonnes, there was plenty of whale meat to go around, with numerous smaller, ­unidentified sharks joining in the dining experience bet­ween Brooms Head and ­Angourie, off on the north coast near Yamba, before the carcass eventually washed up on a beach further south.

At least three tiger sharks were captured eating a dead humpback. Picture: NSW Department of Primary Industries

There was plenty to eat for the sharks. Picture: NSW Department of Primary Industries

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The footage was taken as part of extensive drone work being undertaken by the NSW Department of Primary Industries to improve beach surveillance, while also learning about shark ­behaviour. Last month, the department launched its second drone surveillance trial, with additional beaches to be added this summer.

In partnership with Surf Life Saving NSW, 15 beaches will have drones assisting lifeguards and lifesavers. The devices will not only be used for shark spotting but also to identify swimmers who may be in trouble.

Tiger sharks can grow to as big as a great white but have notably different head shape. Picture: NSW Department of Primary Industries

Equipped with sirens, the SLSNSW-coloured drones will enable lifesavers and lifeguards to sound an alarm should a shark be sighted.

Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said the “eyes in the sky” would help lifesavers to better identify possible danger in the water, while also helping them alert swimmers and surfers.

“They allow our lifesavers to spot the risk and get straight to work to prevent a potential attack or drowning,” he said. “In the second year of this partnership, we haven’t just added more beaches to the trial, SLSNSW are also working on improvements to the drones.”

A Great White is captured during research. Picture: NSW Department of Primary Industries

Among beaches where the drones will be used are Kingscliff, Yamba, Coffs Coast, Port Macquarie, Bir­ubi, Redhead, Avoca, Kiama, Mollymook, Pambula and Tathra.

The trial will continue until the end of April.

Separate to the trial, the department has also been conducting its own drone work to develop surveillance and shark identification guides that will be used by lifesavers and lifeguards.

Drones are being used to learn about shark behaviour as part of the state government’s $16 million Shark Management Strategy.

The drone footage was taken by UAV Hover, which has been contracted by the department to undertake both surveillance and behavioural research work.