The New South Wales government has announced a significant expansion of its shark mitigation program, allocating $120 million over the next two years to enhance aerial shark surveillance along the state’s coastline. This boost, which nearly doubles previous funding, follows increased community concern after a series of shark attacks, including the June 13 incident in which Sydney mother Leah Stewart was seriously injured at Coogee Beach.

From July 1, about 70 beaches statewide will receive daily drone monitoring during daylight hours, ensuring at least one beach in every coastal council area is covered. At 38 Sydney and north coast beaches, drones will operate year-round, while popular regional beaches will see increased coverage between December and April, with additional weekend patrols outside these months. Beaches without lifeguards will also benefit from the aerial surveillance program.

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), which currently operates a fleet of around 80 drones, will nearly double its capacity to 150 drones as part of the program. The increased drone activity will support up to 500,000 flights annually, expanding surveillance coverage to approximately 4.5 million kilometres along the coastline—up from the previous 100,000 flights per year. These operations aim to identify and alert beachgoers to sharks more rapidly, although officials caution that the program cannot wholly eliminate the risk of shark encounters.

The enhancements also include plans to develop and trial artificial intelligence-enabled autonomous drones intended to reduce the need for constant human monitoring. Agriculture and Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty emphasized that while no method can entirely remove shark attack risks, this investment represents the most comprehensive aerial shark surveillance initiative the state has ever implemented.

SLSNSW Chief Executive Steven Pearce, who has overseen the organization’s drone operations since their inception a decade ago, described the program as the largest and most advanced of its kind worldwide. Pearce noted swift regulatory cooperation following the Coogee attack, including eased restrictions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that allowed more frequent drone flights in restricted airspace. He also stressed that drones, coupled with AI advancements, form the central pillar of the state’s shark management strategy, which also includes nets and SMART drumlines.

Premier Chris Minns highlighted that increased drone surveillance is likely to result in more frequent shark warnings, reflecting a higher detection rate rather than a surge in shark populations. He affirmed that while great white sharks remain protected under law, targeted culls of bull sharks may be considered depending on ongoing research.

The program further incorporates installation of acoustic listening devices in Sydney Harbour to track tagged sharks. Officials anticipate that the extended monitoring coverage and technological innovation will help restore community confidence in beach safety, which has declined amid recent attacks. Several local residents have expressed support for expanded measures, noting a desire for greater assurance when allowing children to swim.

Overall, the expanded drone surveillance program represents a major step in NSW’s efforts to improve shark hazard management and public safety, combining increased operational capacity with technological development to better protect swimmers and surfers along the state’s coastline.