More support for beach shark safety

THE NSW Government has strengthened the state’s shark mitigation program with more drones and earlier, longer seasonal patrols along the NSW coast as part of a $2.5 million budget increase.

Surf Life Saving’s shark surveillance drones will be in operation one week earlier than planned, from tomorrow (Saturday, December 13) and will be extended to the end of March 2026.

The new efforts in the state’s shark mitigation program will deliver extended drone coverage and in-air time, stronger public awareness to promote SharkSmart safety, and triple the size of the community shark bite kit rollout program to 150 at isolated and unpatrolled beaches along regional coastal areas.

Danny Schouten developed the Community Shark Bite Kits after his friend Kai McKenzie was attacked by a shark while surfing on the Mid-North Coast in 2024.

The kits contain a tourniquet, compression bandages, dressings, a thermal blanket, whistle, gloves and first-aid instructions for a serious bite injury.

QR-coded ‘SharkSmart’ posters will be installed at beaches in every coastal LGA so anyone can scan for safety information.

SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce welcomed the significant enhancement.

“Last summer alone, 50 SLSNSW drones flying from Tweed to Bega completed 18,027 flights over 4,897 flying hours,” Pearce said.

During that time, 815 sharks were sighted, including 41 bull sharks, 45 white sharks and 729 unknown sharks.

“Our lifeguards and lifesavers enacted 115 countermeasures, including 88 beach evacuations, plus other countermeasures, including beach siren, drone siren, and IRB/RWC.

Community Shark Bite Kit founder Danny Schouten said survival shouldn’t be left to chance or to luck.

“We know people can be saved if a tourniquet is applied quickly. I’m stoked that the NSW Government is helping give us ocean-loving Australians the resources we need to hopefully save someone’s life in the future,” Schouten said.

“We’re not going to stop doing what we love, surfing and swimming are ingrained in the Australian culture, we just need to be better prepared for when these accidents happen.

“The Community Shark Bite Kits are important to ensure our mates, families and neighbours have quick access to the right first aid equipment that could be the difference in saving a life.”