New research, real-time tracking and expanded drone surveillance will lead a $4.2 million NSW Government boost to help keep people safer in the water this summer.

This investment follows an unprecedented number of attacks over the last week and the need for better education and community safety messaging on shark behaviour, especially in the lead-up to and following significant weather events that can increase the risk of attacks.  

The Harbour-focused research and monitoring will help build a clearer picture of where Bull Sharks are, how they move and when risks are higher, particularly after significant weather events, and will directly inform future shark mitigation strategies for 2026/27 and beyond.

That improved understanding will support better awareness for swimmers, clearer warnings and more practical advice for people using the water.

At the same time, Surf Life Saving NSW shark surveillance drone coverage will be significantly expanded, with an additional 30 beaches added from 24 January, including 19 new locations in Sydney and 11 regional beaches. 

Drones will also increase operations to seven days a week through to the end of the April school holidays.

The additional funding follows heightened community concern after recent shark incidents and recognises the importance of clear, evidence-based safety messaging for swimmers and surfers, particularly after storms and heavy rainfall, which can increase risk.

As part of the $4.2 million package, the NSW Government will:

• Expand drone patrols at more beaches - increasing Surf Life Saving NSW drone operations to an additional 30 locations from 24 January, including 19 new Sydney beaches and 11 regional sites - with flights operating seven days a week through to the end of the April school holidays, alongside the existing fleet covering up to 50 beaches during school holiday periods.
• Carry out focused research on bull sharks in Sydney Harbour and other estuaries, including tagging and monitoring led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) shark scientists to build clearer insights into the number of bull sharks in the harbour, their movements, residency patterns and higher-risk periods.
• Install shark listening stations in Sydney Harbour, allowing faster detection of tagged sharks so harbour users can be alerted when sharks are nearby.
• Strengthen community education and awareness, with an expanded SharkSmart education campaign, an additional mobile education van, new and updated signage, and increased social media alerts and community warnings during periods of elevated risk.

These measures sit alongside the 2025/26 Shark Management Program already operating across NSW, including:

• 305 SMART (Shark Management Alert in Real Time) drumlines in 19 local government areas for year-round coverage
• Shark nets at 51 beaches across eight LGAs between Newcastle and Wollongong, deployed 1 September to 31 March
• Tracking the movements of tagged sharks via 37 tagged shark listening stations, with at least one station in every coastal local government area for year-round coverage. 

In December, the Government announced an additional $2.5 million enhancement to its 2025/26 program, with drones staring a week earlier than normal in summer, weekend flights from February to April, an expedited rollout of additional drones and training for Surfing NSW, as well as tripling funding for an additional 150 community shark bite kits in regional coastal areas. These kits will be rolled out progressively.  

Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said, “Keeping people safe is our priority, which is why we’ve committed an additional $4.2 million in to strengthen shark safety measures.”

“Recent shark incidents following storms and heavy rainfall have highlighted the importance of clear, practical information for people using the water.

“This funding will help expand drone surveillance, improve education and ensure timely warnings, so swimmers and surfers can make informed decisions about when to enter the water.

“There’s no single solution, and no government can ever promise to make the water completely safe, which is why we’re using a range of tools to keep people informed and as safe as possible.”

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said, "This new package represents a 90% increase on our current shark surveillance drone program – a significant enhancement that will see more drones flying at popular beaches along our coast, representing an additional 35,000 flying hours from 24 January to 26 April.

"We know our SLS drones are an effective eye in the sky when it comes to early shark detection and warning beach users.

"So far in 2025/26, 50 Surf Life Saving NSW drones from Tweed to Bega have completed 29,431 flights over 8044 flying hours. During that time 461 sharks were sighted.

"Our lifeguards and lifesavers enacted 170 countermeasures, including beach evacuations, beach siren, drone siren, and rescue vessels."