The Minns government has also begun deploying 305 SMART drumlines, which allow for the tagging of sharks, from Tweed Heads to Bega.
Drone surveillance will also be boosted, with 73 drones working across 97 beaches from 6:15 am to 5 pm, to coincide with increased daylight hours.
A female Bull Shark being tagged in Sydney Harbour. Image: NSWDPI.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, addressed shark net concerns in a statement on shark deterrents.
“I acknowledge there are some mixed views on shark nets, but we will use all tools available to enhance the safety of people swimming at our beaches, and that includes nets rolling out on 1 September,” she said.
“The aim of the new Harbour listening stations is to improve our understanding of bull shark movements in the harbour and provide real-time notifications to the SharkSmart app when tagged sharks are detected nearby.
The new buoy is visible from the shoreline and will remain in place permanently. Image: NSWDPI.
“We are investing in our science research to understand sharks better and use that to enhance our program to make our beaches safer for swimmers, surfers and families.
“While the risk of a shark interaction can never be eliminated entirely, everyone can take simple steps to reduce their risk, including checking local conditions and downloading the SharkSmart app.”