Shark drones to protect surfers at unpatrolled beaches after fatal attacks in NSW

Shark-spotting drones will soon patrol popular surfing spots in NSW after several deadly attacks in recent months.

A $2.5 million state government plan aimed at reducing the risk of deadly shark attacks will see drones deployed at unpatrolled beaches across the state.

The roll-out will include 200 "bite kits" sent to regional beaches, earlier drone patrols ahead of summer and extended beach coverage.

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The government will also engage Surfing NSW to offer drone training to surf clubs at beaches on the NSW coast between Newcastle and Wollongong.

It comes after several horror shark attacks on NSW beaches.

A Swiss tourist was killed by the predator at Kylies Beach, south of Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast, late last month.

Olivia Mulheim, 25, died after being mauled by a bull shark while swimming with her partner Lucas Schindler, 26, on November 27.

Surfer Mercury Psillakis was killed by a shark at Long Reef Beach in Dee Why in September.

Psillakis' death sparked the temporary closure of several beaches and paused a shark net removal trial in Sydney.

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A northern NSW mayor called for year-round drone surveillance on high-risk beaches after a near-miss incident with a shark in Cabarita in August.

Shark-spotting drones have already become permanent fixtures along Queensland beaches in a bid to improve surveillance after multiple shark sightings.

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