SHARK response capabilities will be enhanced at beaches across the state, with the NSW Government announcing a boost of $4.4 million for a suite of immediate additional mitigation methods, as well as ongoing funding of more than $85 million to continue this strategy until 2026.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said shark interactions are always possible, regardless of the technologies deployed – but that it is critical for the NSW Government to do everything possible to reduce that risk to the millions of beachgoers who hit the water every year.

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“We are not only announcing immediate additional response capabilities, including more Shark Listening Stations, SMART Drumlines and Rapid Response Vehicles, but we’re also committing to ongoing funding for future mitigation to protect our beachgoers for years to come.”

The immediate additional response package includes: 10 additional VR4G Listening Stations, 60 extra SMART drumlines, 500 more shark tags to trace sharks caught on an expanded drumline roll out, funding for four more Rapid Response Vessels, Long Range Drone Trials in partnership with Surf Life Saving NSW, additional Surf Life Saving resources to increase their presence at beaches and applied research into wetsuit materials to reduce the impact of shark attacks.

In addition to the immediate response package, a $85.6 million 2022-2026 Shark Management Program has been introduced, that will extend the 51 nets currently deployed seasonally as part of the Shark Meshing Program, continue and expand the SMART drumline program whilst also establishing a First Responder Team to coordinate this response to shark incidents.

The 37 shark listening stations across the NSW coast will be kept and aerial surveillance utilising drones will be continued.

Partnering with Surf Life Saving NSW, the NSW Government is hoping to provide shark mitigation support and services such as trauma kits during riding competitions and surf schools.

Mr Saunders said that the target of this funding is co-existence safely.

“We know sharks can be extremely dangerous and aggressive, but they’re also part of what makes NSW’s marine life so beautiful, so we need to make sure we continue to have state-of-the-art technology in place to allow them and beachgoers to coexist.

“There is no other jurisdiction in Australia or across the globe which has done as much testing and trialling of technology and approaches to mitigate shark interactions, and our shark program is now the largest and most comprehensive in the world.”

For more information, visit https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/

By Tara CAMPBELL