Northern Beaches Advocate:

The NSW Government has committed an additional $2.5m to boost drone surveillance following the recent shark attack on the Northern Beaches.

The new commitment will see Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) drones in the air for a longer season, and boardrider clubs equipped with drones and training through peak surfing body Surfing NSW.

The decision to increase funds is directly related to the tragedy at Dee Why Beach last September, where local surfer Mercury Psillakis was killed by a shark.

SLSNSW drones began weekend surveillance a week earlier from Saturday, 13 December 2025, and will be extended until Sunday, 29 March 2026. Over the Christmas holiday period, until the end of January 2026, SLSNSW drone patrols will fly daily.

Partnering with Surfing NSW, the NSW Government is rolling out drones and training to boardrider clubs, adding another layer of safety for local surfers and surf events. In the wake of the fatal attack on Mr Psillakis, SLSNSW had collaborated with Surfing NSW and provided drone and jet-ski coverage for surfing events.

Funding will also be provided for Community Shark Bite Kits to be placed at unpatrolled beaches. They contain a tourniquet, compression bandages, dressings, a thermal blanket, whistle, gloves and first aid instructions for a serious bite injury.

These kits were the initiative of Danny Schouten, whose mate Kai McKenzie was attacked by a shark while surfing at Port Macquarie in 2024.

There will also be improvements to the popular NSW Government SharkSmart app to further enhance its usability and information for beachgoers. 

Enhancement will also be made to the NSW Government Shark Management Program already deployed, which covers a range of initiatives, including:

• 305 SMART (Shark Management Alert in Real Time) drumlines in 19 Local Government Areas (LGAs) for year-round coverage

• Shark nets at 51 beaches across eight LGAs between Newcastle and Wollongong, deployed 01 September 2025 to 31 March 2026

• Tracking the movements of tagged sharks via 37 tagged shark listening stations, with at least one station in every coastal LGA for year-round coverage. When a tagged shark is detected by the station, an alert is sent to the SharkSmart app.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the improvements were being put in place after she met with the family of Mercury Psillakis.

“I met with Maria and Mike Psillakis who have been tragically impacted by the death of their husband and brother, Mercury, at Dee Why Beach in September [2025] following a shark attack.

“We spoke about increasing protection for boardriders and recognising the role of surfers in beach safety as a legacy for Mercury.

“This is why the Minns Government is now increasing funding for Surfing NSW so they can roll-out a comprehensive drones and training program for their many clubs between Newcastle and Wollongong, as a significant contribution to honouring his legacy.

“The Minns Government is always looking to improve our shark mitigation program so that it will reduce interactions of swimmers and boardriders with sharks,” said Minister Moriarty.

“Drones have shown to be an effective eye in the sky when it comes to early shark detection and warning beach users. This enhancement package is another important step forward in using and expanding their potential along our coastline.

“While there is no 100 percent safeguard to protect people from shark interactions, a mix of technologies and public awareness will increase safety.

“We are intensifying the operation of our SharkSmart beach visit pop-up sessions along the coast and enhancing the user experience of our popular SharkSmart app.

“A better awareness of sharks and their behaviour can help us all enjoy the beach and reduce the risk of shark interactions this summer,” said Minister Moriarty

Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby (image above) said the expansion of coverage by existing SLSNSW drones and the addition of new drones for boardriders was a good step, but more could be done.

“The Psillakis’ family’s grief and their ongoing advocacy with local MPs, Ministers and the Premier, has led to this funding announcement — one that will benefit our whole community and beyond.

“This expansion is progress. Boardrider clubs in the Northern Beaches, including Long Reef, will be given drones, but we need to increase the number of beaches with SLSNSW drones. At the moment we only have three.

“I’ll be pushing for further funding in the next NSW Budget for SLSNSW drone surveillance on all metro beaches, including across the Northern Beaches and for year on year commitment.

“Technology matters. We don’t want nippers, teens doing their surf certificate program, or boardrider comps losing trust in beach safety. Shark nets give false confidence. Drones give real-time information.

“The risk can never be eliminated, but it can be better managed with modern technology,” said Ms Scruby.

Under the NSW Government Shark Management Program, the Northern Beaches LGA has three SLSNSW drones, 15 shark nets, 30 SMART drumlines, and three tagged shark listening stations. More information about shark management is available at the SharkSmart website.

Dale Cohen