Drones expand across NSW after Coogee attack shock

The funding bolsters the state’s shark mitigation efforts to $120m in the coming two years. The move comes after Sydney mum Leah Stewart was attacked at Coogee on June 13, and a spate of attacks during summer which claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy. On Thursday, Ms Stewart’s family revealed she had been taken out of a coma sooner than expected, and had spoken with her daughter but still had no use of her remaining arm. The Coogee attack sparked statewide debate about shark

management in NSW, with Premier Chris Minns announcing on Sunday that about 70 beaches up and down the state – at least one beach in every coastal council area – will see expanded drone coverage. At 38 beaches in Sydney and on the North Coast drones will fly year-round during daylight hours, and at popular regional beaches drones will fly all day from December 1 to April 30, plus every weekend outside that five-month window. The government will try to develop drone technology to where

a Surf Life Saving NSW human operator is not required for each device. “What we’d love to get to is autonomous AI-enabled drones that don’t require humans to monitor the sharks on a dawn-till-dusk basis,” Mr Minns told Sky News. “We’re not there yet, and this is a measure that we can put in place in the meantime.” Authorities will prioritise beaches with a high number of swimmers and paddlers in Sydney and the North Coast, beginning July 1. Two listening devices will be placed

in Sydney Harbour that ping when a tagged shark is in the area. The expanded drone coverage is on top of the drones being flown up and down the coast during school holidays. Beaches without lifeguards will also be covered from the air. While surf lifesavers will fly the drones, the government will also look to private firms to develop shark-detecting and auto-flying abilities. Agriculture and Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said no measure could entirely remove the threat of shark attacks, but the funding

boost was “about doing everything we can to reduce that risk”. “This investment will deliver the most extensive aerial shark surveillance program we’ve ever had,” she said. Surf Life Saving NSW have identified 2000 sharks this year from 100,000 surveillance flights, chief executive Steve Pearce said. “Even with the greatest technology and expanded presence of drones, we cannot prevent all shark interactions, however this funding will allow the development of a safety program that will give the greatest opportunity to prevent these from occurring.” The

funding boost comes two weeks after 35-year-old Ms Stewart was attacked at popular beach Coogee, while swimming close to shore and between the flags. On Thursday, Ms Stewart’s family revealed the mother had regained consciousness sooner than expected. She “remembers the whole event in detail”, her brother said online, and wanted to publicly thank the staff at St Vincent’s Hospital. “Her remaining arm has severe tendon and nerve damage which will require further repair and intensive rehabilitation,” her brother said in a fundraising post, which

has garnered more than $520,000. Twelve-year-old Nico Antic died in hospital in January, a week after being attacked at Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach at Vaucluse in Sydney’s east. “Nico was a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit. He was always full of life and that’s how we’ll remember him,” his family said in a statement at the time. “We would like to sincerely thank the first responders and the teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick for

everything they did to care for Nico.” Nico was the first of four people to be attacked in the proceeding 48 hours in NSW. On Saturday, Bondi Beach was shut for a fourth day in a row because of another shark sighting. Multiple other Sydney beaches have been closed in recent days after shark sightings.

NSW shark mitigation, drone coverage, Leah Stewart, Coogee attack, Bondi Beach closure, Chris Minns, Tara Moriarty, Surf Life Saving NSW