New South Wales will deploy daily drone monitoring of sharks from dawn to dusk at more than 70 beaches starting July 1, 2026, after a recent surge in shark incidents and sightings across Sydney and regional areas [1, 2].
The state government will invest A$120 million over two years in shark mitigation efforts, including an additional A$34 million to expand drone patrols and testing of new artificial intelligence detection technology during summer [1, 2]. The program will cover some 38 Sydney beaches from Palm Beach to Cronulla, plus others that are not regularly patrolled by lifesavers [1, 2].
Drone flight hours will be extended to provide greater coverage at popular and regional beaches, allowing for earlier detection of sharks and faster public warnings [2]. This builds on recent incidents, including a serious shark mauling in June 2026 at Coogee Beach, where a woman in her 30s sustained major injuries and an arm amputation [1, 2].
Shark sightings have caused repeated temporary beach closures, such as three days of shutdowns at Bondi Beach due to great white shark presence [2]. Scientists believe rising ocean temperatures are altering shark migratory patterns, potentially contributing to increased encounters [2].
Since 1791, Australia has recorded nearly 1,300 shark incidents, with over 260 fatal attacks [2].
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the expanded monitoring aims to reduce risk and increase public confidence. "While no one can ever promise no shark interactions, this investment is about putting more eyes in the sky so we can spot sharks earlier and give people a clear heads-up when they’re in the water," Minns said [2]. He added the measures seek to provide "a measure of confidence for people swimming at the state’s beaches" [1].
The expanded drone program begins July 1, providing daily surveillance across a broad stretch of NSW coast to improve safety for swimmers and surfers alike [1, 2].
