The SharkSmart surveillance program is a non-invasive method of protecting beachgoers from sharks. Photo: State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government.
The Queensland Government has completed more than 545 drone flights on six newly monitored beaches this summer.
Last year, the SharkSmart drone surveillance program identified more than 862 sharks at 16 beaches. Some 124 of the sightings were longer than two metres.
Queensland’s LNP Government said it was prioritising the delivery of safer beaches through the largest investment in the Shark Management Plan in the state’s history, with an expanded and permanent shark-spotting drone fleet patrolling popular waters this summer.
Drones are stationed at popular beaches across the state, monitoring sharks for public safety as well as gathering information on shark movements and behaviour in an effort to protect beachgoers.
Since the SharkSmart program began four months ago, 149 sharks have been spotted at newly designated beaches, providing surf lifesavers with real-time awareness to protect swimmers.
New beaches under surveillance this summer are:
- Tangalooma, Moreton Island (summer and Easter school holidays)
- Kings Beach, Sunshine Coast
- Kelly’s Beach, Bundaberg
- Kirra Beach, Gold Coast
- Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island
- Agnes Water Main Beach.
The Queensland Government said the program’s expansion followed a successful trial with Surf Life Saving Queensland in which 17,954 drone flights were conducted between September 2020 and April 2024, across 10 locations.
“Our beaches are where Queenslanders and visitors love to relax, cool off and enjoy some rest and relaxation, and now some of our busiest beaches are even safer thanks to the expanded SharkSmart drone surveillance program,” Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said.
“We boosted the investment into the Shark Control Program by 151 per cent, resulting in more than $88 million of additional funding over the life of the plan to return it to its primary purpose — to protect swimmers at select beaches from shark attacks.”
Sixty per cent of the new investment delivers non-lethal preventive solutions that have provided a key component of the Shark Management Plan.
The State Government has committed to doubling its drone program to 20 beaches for the 2026-27 season.
“We’re particularly proud to be expanding the drone surveillance program across our iconic beaches on the southern Gold Coast, where we’ve been able to obtain all the relevant permits to allow drone flights in restricted airspace,” Mr Perrett said.
More information on the program can be found on the government’s website.
