CSG Online Forum - Shark SMART
The Coastal Safety Group met for its second online forum on 26 April 22 with a presentation from Marcel Green of the NSW Shark Management Program.
The NSW Shark Management Program is led by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). The NSW Government is committing $21.4 million in 2021/22 to continue its effective, evidence-based shark mitigation program, with a host of successfully trialled technologies rolled out along the NSW coastline.
The tragic event that happened at Little Bay Beach earlier this year was a tough reminder that shark interactions are always possible, regardless of the technologies deployed. However, the NSW government is committed to doing everything possible to reduce the risk to the millions of beachgoers who hit the water every year. In addition to deploying SMART drumlines following this incident, DPI to partnered with Randwick Council, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, Surfing NSW and Bite Club to roll out community drop in stands to provide shark education and mental health support.
Following this event an additional $4.4m has been allocated in 2021/22 for immediate additional shark mitigation in NSW. As part of the investment DPI will purchase60 new SMART drumlines, 500 shark tags, 10 tagged shark listening stations, four vessels, and research into bite-proof wetsuit materials.
SMART Drumlines will now be in place at 19 of the 25 coastal council areas. In two of the council areas it was logistically not possible to deploy the lines and four are not supportive of the technology. Regarding risk to swimmers, Marcel clarified that the lines are set at least 500m off the shoreline and that in excess of 50,000 deployments in NSW and other trials overseas and elsewhere in Australia there has not been any evidence that the lines attract additional shark activity. DPI do not use live bait and do not burley the water. Having said that, DPI are happy to work in consultation with major events to adjust the SMART drumline deployments and recommends in any case that swimmers do not try to interact with the drumlines, listening stations, nets or any other shark mitigation gear.
Part of the funding will also be used to support additional drone and Jet Ski patrols by Surf Life Saving NSW. Whilst the funding has been allocated to expand their partnership with Surf Life Saving NSW, DPI are always interested to engage with local governments to get the best outcome for the community and complement each other’s work. For example, on the Central Coast, the drone deployment location was adjusted based on local conditions to work in line with lifeguard patrols. Additionally, Randwick and Coffs Harbour have been provided with a DPI iPad so they can update the SharkSmart app following any shark sighting by their team. DPI are working with their app developer to make this capacity available to all coastal councils using their own iPads or iPhones.
The Coastal Safety Group also provides an excellent opportunity for DPI to connect with multiple councils at once. If your Council has capability to support or complement the DPI shark mitigation efforts we encourage you to reach out to the team and discuss the opportunity. The Coastal Safety Group will also continue to work with DPI to support Local Government involvement in the ongoing shark mitigation efforts.
Contact the DPI shark team at [email protected]
