15 new SMART drumlines are being deployed at Eurobodalla this week for the first time ever as part of the NSW Government’s Shark Management Program, Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders announced today.
Mr Saunders said shark interactions are always possible, regardless of the technologies deployed - but it is critical for the NSW Government to do everything possible to reduce that risk to the millions of beachgoers who hit the water every year.
“I’m thrilled the NSW Government is deploying these brand new SMART drumlines in Eurobodalla for the first time, from Surf Beach to Broulee, to make these beaches as safe as possible for local swimmers and surfers,” Mr Saunders said.
“SMART drumlines are state-of-the-art technology used to catch and tag sharks safely, and are set approximately 500 metres offshore from beaches or at the back of the surf break each morning.
“We know sharks can be extremely dangerous and aggressive, but they’re also a critical part of healthy marine ecosystems, so we need to make sure we continue to have state-of-the-art technology in place to allow them and beachgoers to coexist.
The immediate additional response package includes:
· 10 additional VR4G Listening Stations;
· 60 extra SMART drumlines;
· 500 more shark tags to trace sharks caught on an expanded drumline roll out;
· Funding for four more Rapid Response Vessels;
· Long Range Drone Trials in partnership with Surf Life Saving NSW;
· Additional Surf Life Saving resources to increase their presence at beaches; and,
· Applied research into wetsuit materials to reduce the impact of shark attacks.
The 2022-2026 Shark Management Program will include:
· The extension of the 51 nets currently deployed seasonally as part of the Shark Meshing Program;
· The continuity and expansion of the SMART drumline program;
· The establishment of a First Responder Team based across NSW to coordinate the government’s response to shark incidents;
· Keeping the NSW Government’s 37 shark listening stations across the coast;
· More funding to Surf Life Saving NSW to continue and expand aerial surveillance using drones across the state’s coastline;
· Funding to continue to enable Surfing NSW to provide shark mitigation supports and services such as trauma kits during riding competitions and surf schools;
· Research funding for new tools, technologies and further insights into shark behaviour; and,
· An annual survey of community confidence and sentiment in NSW Government shark mitigation efforts.
“There is no other jurisdiction in Australia or across the globe which has done as much testing and trialling of technology and approaches to mitigate shark interactions, and our shark program is now the largest and most comprehensive in the world,” Mr Saunders said.
For more information on the technologies used, visit www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au.