High above Sydney’s pristine beaches, a silent vigil is kept. Drones soar, meticulously scanning the sparkling waters for any sign of the ocean’s most formidable predators – the tell-tale flick of a tail, the gentle swish of a fin, or a shadow gliding beneath the waves. This advanced aerial surveillance has become a cornerstone of New South Wales’ shark safety program, identifying over a thousand sharks in the past year alone.
Australia’s vast coastline is renowned for its abundant marine life, including a significant population of sharks, with great whites being among the most concerning species for human encounters. Despite these inherent risks, millions of Australians flock to the sea annually; a 2024 survey revealed nearly two-thirds of the population made 650 million coastal visits in a single year. For many, the allure of the ocean outweighs the acknowledged dangers. The tragic loss of surfer Mercury Psillakis in September off a northern Sydney beach was described by his family as a “tragic and unavoidable accident,” reflecting a somber acceptance of the ocean’s wild nature.
Scientists point to increasingly crowded waters and rising ocean temperatures, which seem to be altering shark migratory patterns, as potential factors contributing to a rise in attacks. This occurs even as overfishing has depleted some shark species globally. Since 1791, Australia has recorded over 1,280 shark incidents, with approximately 260 fatalities. While still rare, fatal attacks have shown an upward trend, with 56 reported deaths in the 25 years leading up to 2025, compared to 27 in the preceding quarter-century.
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Shepherding Sharks: A Multi-Layered Defense
Protecting people from sharks in Australia is a complex and sensitive issue. Authorities have adopted a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy that combines modern technology with more traditional methods. This includes deploying drones for real-time surveillance, fitting sharks with acoustic trackers so they can be detected by listening buoys near popular beaches, and disseminating real-time alerts through a mobile app. Alongside these innovations, old-fashioned shark nets are still in use.
Drones, in particular, have proven invaluable. Surf Life Saving New South Wales drone pilot Oliver Heys explains their cautious approach: “We err on the side of caution. If we see something, we drop down and zoom in to see if it is a dangerous shark or not.” Once a dangerous shark is identified, a jet ski or inflatable rescue boat is dispatched to gently guide the animal back out to sea. Pilots primarily target the three most dangerous species: great whites, tiger sharks, and bull sharks, with great whites being responsible for 42 percent of recorded attacks since 2000.
The ‘Dinner Bell’ Dilemma of Shark Nets
Despite their long-standing use, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland, the deployment of shark nets remains a contentious topic. Following the fatal attack in Sydney in September, three local councils in New South Wales reversed plans to remove nets from some beaches for a trial period. However, broader support for these nets has declined. Critics argue that nets, which can be as wide as a football field and up to six meters deep, are often ineffective as sharks can simply swim around them. More alarmingly, the mesh indiscriminately traps and kills a significant amount of marine life, including endangered turtles, dolphins, fish, and rays. Leonardo Guida, a shark scientist with the Australian Marine Conservation Society, even suggests that trapped carcasses can act as a “dinner bell,” attracting more predators to the area.
Advancements Beyond Nets: Smart Solutions
Many scientists advocate for more sophisticated, less destructive techniques. New South Wales has implemented “smart drumlines,” which are anchored buoys equipped with baited hooks. When a shark takes the bait, an alert is sent, allowing authorities to tag the animal before releasing it. This data then feeds into the “Shark Smart” mobile app, providing real-time alerts to swimmers, surfers, divers, and fishers when a tagged shark approaches a listening buoy near their preferred beach. However, this technology’s effectiveness hinges on the shark being tagged or swimming within range of a detector. Other Australian states utilize sturdy wall-like structures that enclose headlands, creating protected swimming areas. As Guida aptly puts it, “There is no silver bullet. We are not going to eliminate 100 percent of the risk, but we can mitigate that risk as much as possible.”
Future-Forward Protection: Bite-Resistant Wetsuits and Electronic Deterrents
Beyond detection and deterrence, researchers are also exploring ways to reduce the lethality of shark encounters. This includes developing bite-resistant materials for wetsuits and personal electronic deterrents. Studies funded by New South Wales and conducted by Flinders University professor Charlie Huveneers and his team suggest that certain bite-resistant wetsuits can significantly reduce injuries and blood loss, often the primary cause of death in shark attacks. Furthermore, Huveneers’ earlier research indicated that effective personal electronic devices, which repel sharks by interfering with their electro-sensory systems, could reduce bites by approximately 60 percent. “Australia is at the forefront of shark bite mitigation measures,” Huveneers states, emphasizing that “We can actually save lives.”
It’s important to remember that human safety isn’t the only concern. Researchers also highlight the urgent need for shark conservation. Globally, about 37 percent of oceanic shark and ray species are currently classified as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While shark encounters evoke fear in Australian waters, official statistics show that drowning remains a far greater threat, claiming 357 lives in the 12 months leading up to June this year.