The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is to continue its trial of drones to keep beachgoers safe on NSW beaches this swimming season.
Entering a collaborative trial with Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), DPI launched its 2019 program on the North Coast last weekend (21 September).
Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall said 18 beaches, stretching from Kingscliff to Pambula were part of the collaborative trial.
“We know drones are the future when it comes to keeping beachgoers safe,” Mr Marshall said.
“This trial under the NSW Government’s five-year Shark Management Strategy will enhance the already significant capacity of our lifeguards and lifesavers, increasing protection for beachgoers from sharks and other beach hazards.”
Mr Marshall said that in the previous trial, SLSNSW drones flew more than 25,000 kilometres in more than 8,000 flights, observed approximately 350 sharks and cleared beaches on 48 occasions.
Chief executive of SLSNSW, Steven Pearce said the support from the Government had put the organisation and the swimming public in an even better position to protect the millions of people who visit NSW beaches every year.
“This year we are taking (the drones) to Crescent Head, Forster and Batemans Bay to meet the current and future demands in those increasingly popular parts of our coast,” Mr Pearce said.