Coffs Harbour
Deployed – 1 November 2021
Location - between Coffs Harbour and Sawtell Headland
Location of Smart Drumlines Coffs Harbour - Sawtell Headland (PDF, 230.96 KB)
NSW Shark Management Program 2021/22
The NSW Government is committing $21.4 million in 2021/22 to continue its effective, evidence-based shark mitigation program, with a host of successfully trialled technologies rolled out along the NSW coastline.
This new shark program is the largest and most comprehensive in the world.
This boost in funding supports the expansion of DPI's effective, evidence-based shark program in 2021/22, including:
- Scaling up Surf Life Saving NSW’s drone surveillance program to provide more beach coverage in more Local Government Area’s (LGA’s);
- Increasing coastal surveillance using shark listening stations to ensure at least one in every LGA;
- Expanding the rollout of SMART drumline technology;
- Continuation of beach meshing; and
- Boosting shark tagging, research and community education programs.
See the NSW Shark Program 2021/22 Map (PDF, 1225.71 KB)
Roll out of additional SMART drumlines
‘SMART’ stands for Shark-Management-Alert-In-Real Time. This technology is designed to intercept sharks that come close to shore to help make our beaches safer.
SMART drumlines have proven to be the most effective tool for catching target sharks, minimising the catch of non-target animals, and maximising the survival of all animals caught on the gear.
The NSW Shark Management Program 2021/22 is rolling out SMART drumlines into nearly every coastal Local Government Area (LGA). When fully operational, there will be 170 SMART drumlines deployed daily (weather dependent) from Tweed to Bega.
Tweed Coast
Deployed – 9 November 2021
Location - between Kingscliff and Bogangar
Location of Smart Drumlines Kingscliff - Bogangar (PDF, 202.58 KB)
Forster - Tuncurry
Deployed – 9 November 2021
Location - between Tuncurry Beach and Seven Mile Beach
Location of Smart Drumlines Tuncurry Beach - Seven Mile Beach (PDF, 275.67 KB)
Evans Head
Deployed – 1 July 2021 (via contract extension)
Location - Evans Head
Location of Smart Drumlines Evans Head (JPG, 219.02 KB)
Ballina
Deployed – 1 July 2021 (via contract extension)
Location - between Ballina and Lennox Head
Location of Smart Drumlines Ballina - Lennox Head (JPG, 255.97 KB)
Drone surveillance program
Under the NSW Shark Management Program 2021/22, this program has increased the number of drone locations from 34 to 50, including popular tourist destinations on the far north and far south coasts of NSW and in the Greater Sydney region.
Key points of this program:
- Every coastal LGA along the NSW coastline will have at least one UAV patrol location during the 2021/22 SLS season
- There is now a total of 50 locations across the state under this NSW Government program, with 16 new locations being added to the 34 delivered during the 2020/21 SLS season
Find out more about UAVs in Surf Life Saving
UAV Patrol Locations
Surfing NSW partnership
Every surfer in NSW will have access to first-aid training through Surfing NSW’s Surfers Rescue 24/7 program, while customised medical kits and training will be supplied to more than 110 NSW boardrider clubs and 55 surf schools.
A fleet of approximately 20 drones will also be used by Surfing NSW to patrol their events, in addition to our world-leading fleet of shark-spotting drones already delivered by Surf Life Saving NSW.
Keep up to date with the program through surfingnsw.com.au
See the summary