28 March, 2018

The world’s best and brightest are being encouraged to apply for funding to develop innovative projects to help protect beachgoers from shark interactions, NSW Department of Primary Industries Deputy Director General, Fisheries, Dr Geoff Allan, said today.

“This is a third round of $200,000 which is available to support projects which align with the key objective of the Strategy to increase protection for bathers from shark interactions while minimising harm to sharks or other animals,” Dr Allan said.

“The Shark Management Strategy Grants Program invites technology developers, researchers, organisations, educational institutions, businesses and individuals to apply for funding to develop a range of technologies, and innovative research.

“This funding program is helping give us real information in how we can better protect beachgoers from the risk of shark bite.”

Dr Allan said this is just one component of the NSW Government’s $16 million Shark Management Strategy which a showcase of new and emerging technologies to help build on existing science to mitigate against shark interactions with beachgoers.

“I look forward to seeing what the world has to offer in protecting NSW residents from the risk of shark interactions,” Dr Allan said.

Key areas for funding which align with the NSW Shark Management Strategy are:

  • Personal shark deterrents - For example protective wetsuits, small electrical and magnetic devices
  • Area-based shark deterrents - For example electrical or other types of barriers
  • Shark detection methods - For example sonar technologies, shark recognition software
  • Shark biology relevant to interactions with humans - For example sensory systems
  • Socio-economics of shark-human interactions - For example changes in human behaviour and perceptions following implementation of particular approaches

The priority this year is socio-economics of shark-human interactions.

“Grants are open to national and international applicants, and joint applications are encouraged. Any proposed projects should be developed as one year in duration,” Dr Allan said.

Examples of relevant technologies can be found on the NSW DPI website and in Shark deterrents and detectors: review of bather protection technologies (2015) (PDF, 4142.53 KB).

To apply for a grant, applicants will first need to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Further information and forms

Media contact: Sarah Wright 6391 3686 or 0427 075 167