BEACHGOERS can rest a little easier when they are enjoying the surf over the summer with the introduction of more shark monitoring equipment across the state’s beaches.

The NSW Government has ramped up its shark management measures ahead of a busy summer season, launching four Rapid Response Vessels that will be ready for action over the coming months.

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Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the new Rapid Response Vessels form part of the Government’s world-leading Shark Mitigation Program.

“While the chance of a shark encounter remains low, the NSW Government continues to leave no stone unturned when it comes to protecting beachgoers, proudly earning us the title of overseeing the largest shark mitigation program in the world.”

Mr Saunders said the NSW Government has invested a record $86 million over the next four years to deploy new and conventional technology across our coastline.

“Our Shark Mitigation Program includes 305 SMART drumlines deployed daily across the NSW coast to intercept, tag, relocate and release sharks, 37 tagged shark listening stations, shark meshing at 51 beaches and 50 drones to spot sharks in the water.”

Across the MidCoast LGA there are four Surf Life Saving drones, 15 drum lines and three listening stations all deployed to detect sharks early.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said with the school summer holidays beginning, beachgoers are reminded to take precautions to keep themselves safe.

“There are simple steps swimmers and surfers can take to be safe, including staying close to shore, avoiding murky waters and keeping up to date with the NSW Government’s SharkSmart app, which provides information and notifications about tagged shark movements, observations from the SLS drones, and catches of sharks by our SMART drumlines,” Ms Cooke said.

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce welcomed the announcement from the NSW Government and said the Rapid Response Vessels will add another layer of protection for swimmers this summer.

“This equipment will bolster our extensive UAV (drone) surveillance program conducted by Surf Life Saving NSW at 50 locations along the coast.

“Combining our eyes in the sky with a rapid response capability will provide beachgoers with even greater peace of mind this summer,” said Mr Pearce.

Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounter’s Lia Pereira told News Of The Area, “It is safest to swim between the flags at patrolled beaches and not to swim in murky water or after high rainfall, if there are lots of bait fish around, or within 1km of a river.”

Further information about the NSW Shark Mitigation Program, including the locations of nets, SMART drumlines, tagged shark listening stations and drone operations, can be found at www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/current-program.

By Marian SAMPSON