Shark-spotting drones to keep watch over NSW beaches this summer
The NSW government is ramping up safety measures so surfers and beachgoers can enjoy the ocean water this summer.
There is to be more funding for those on the front line of shark surveillance, who play a critical role in reducing the risk of shark attacks.
NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said drones with camera and speaker technology would be able to spot sharks and alert surfers and beachgoers.
Sharks on NSW beaches will be watched by high-tech drones this summer. 9News
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The state government is offering $200,000 in grants, which would allow local councils to buy about 50 new drones.
There are 34 drones already in use across the state for shark-spotting, one of them last month spotting a shark circling pro surfer Matt Wilkinson in Ballina.
The government has offered up $200,000 in grants. 9News
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The grants will also go towards training more pilots in the use of these specialised drones.
"There's nowhere else in Australia that's doing this, and very few places in the world that are using this kind of technology to keep people safe," Mr Marshall.
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