Eyes in the Sky

There’s a new technology emerging in shark safety, and it promises a safe future for both humans and marine creatures alike.

For the past 89 years, we’ve been using the same old bandaid solution: shark nets. From Newcastle to Wollongong, there are currently 51 shark nets in use, including most of the Northern Beaches coastline. These nets are present throughout Summer and removed on 31 March. The question is, do they work?

On 6 December, 2025, Mercury Psillakis, a beloved 57-year-old surfer, was fatally injured by a White Shark while surfing 100 metres off Long Reef Beach. A shark net was present, but it didn’t save him. This tragedy shook the community, calling shark nets into question.

“The big problem is, they’re 150 metres long,” says Jacquie Scruby, Member for Pittwater. When placed in the 2.3 kilometre stretch of Palm Beach, that covers just 6.5% of its length, and when the nets are just 4–6 metres high, set in depths of 12 metres, sharks can easily swim over, under, and around the meagre barriers.

“The words ‘shark net’ give the impression of safety, but it’s almost like gaslighting. They give a false sense of security.”

Not only is this dangerous to humans, but the nets are destructive to marine critters as well. In DPI trials on the North Coast, even shark nets fitted with whale alarm and dolphin pinger deterrents killed eight dolphins, nine turtles, 107 rays, and many more non-target species. In comparison, only eleven target sharks were intercepted, six of which died. It’s clear the cost is just too high, and the results are nowhere to be seen.

So, how can we make shark safety better? A new trial in Queensland found that drone monitoring detected 392 more sharks than traditional catch-and-kill methods. That’s 138% higher. But currently, only three spots on The Beaches use drones.

With such promising results, Jacqui declares, “We have the modern technology. It’s time to roll it out.” Let’s start a conversation with our local MPs today, so that tomorrow, we can paddle out with peace of mind.

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