The NSW Government has announced a $4.2 million investment in expanded shark surveillance, research, and public safety initiatives to reduce the risk of shark encounters this summer—particularly along regional coastlines, including the state’s North Coast.
The new funding package comes in response to a spate of recent shark incidents and increased community concern, particularly following storms and heavy rainfall, which are known to elevate shark activity in coastal waters.
NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the funding would strengthen current shark safety measures and improve the quality of information available to water users.
“Keeping people safe is our priority, which is why we’ve committed an additional $4.2 million to strengthen shark safety measures,” Minister Moriarty said.
“Recent shark incidents following storms and heavy rainfall have highlighted the importance of clear, practical information for people using the water.
“This funding will help expand drone surveillance, improve education and ensure timely warnings, so swimmers and surfers can make informed decisions about when to enter the water.
“There’s no single solution, and no government can ever promise to make the water completely safe, which is why we’re using a range of tools to keep people informed and as safe as possible.”
North Coast beaches among new drone patrol sites
From 24 January, Surf Life Saving NSW will expand its drone surveillance program to an additional 30 beaches, including 11 new regional locations, several of which are expected to be on the North Coast. While the full list of North Coast beaches is yet to be confirmed, the expansion reflects a 90 per cent increase in current coverage and will run seven days a week through to the end of the April school holidays.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said the increased aerial surveillance would help lifeguards detect and respond to shark activity more rapidly.
“This new package represents a 90 per cent increase on our current shark surveillance drone program – a significant enhancement that will see more drones flying at popular beaches along our coast, representing an additional 35,000 flying hours from 24 January to 26 April,” Pearce said.
“We know our SLS drones are an effective eye in the sky when it comes to early shark detection and warning beach users.”
He added that, so far in the 2025–26 season, drones between Tweed and Bega had completed more than 29,000 flights and sighted 461 sharks, prompting 170 preventative actions such as beach evacuations or use of sirens.
Shark research to inform future safety plans
Alongside the drone expansion, the package will fund focused research on Bull Sharks in Sydney Harbour and other estuarine environments, including tagging and tracking. Although Sydney-based, the research will inform broader state-wide mitigation strategies for future summer seasons.
New shark listening stations will also be installed in the harbour to allow faster detection of tagged sharks, and real-time data will support public warnings via the SharkSmart app and social media channels.
Education and awareness campaigns target regional communities
The package also includes funding for enhanced public education campaigns, including an additional SharkSmart mobile education van, updated beach signage, and targeted messaging during higher-risk periods, such as after heavy rainfall.
The North Coast, where tourism and surf culture are vital to the local economy, is expected to benefit from the rollout of 150 additional shark bite response kits. These kits, part of a separate $2.5 million boost announced last month, are being progressively delivered to regional communities.
These new initiatives sit alongside the state’s ongoing Shark Management Program, which includes:
- 305 SMART drumlines across 19 local government areas
- Shark nets deployed at 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong (September to March)
- 37 shark listening stations providing year-round monitoring
With increased drone capacity, real-time shark data, and stronger community engagement, the NSW Government says it is delivering a multi-layered approach to beach safety as the summer peak continues.
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