NSW lifts drone ban over Sydney beach after shark attack

The NSW government has secured an exemption allowing Surf Life Saving NSW to fly drones over Coogee beach as part of its shark monitoring program, the agriculture minister, Tara Moriarty, said at a press conference. The program had been constrained by proximity to Sydney airport and Civil Aviation Safety Authority rules; Surf Life Saving NSW applied for an urgent exemption that has been granted.

Moriarty said the state will work with CASA to make the permission permanent. Moriarty said she prefers to use technology to track sharks and wants to expand the drone program to have “eyes in the sky” over beaches. She added that drone expansion is the priority but “nothing else is off the table,” and argued calls for culling do not address “how sharks work.” Native sharks, including great whites, remain protected, though she did not rule out a culling program.

Australia, Coogee, Sydney

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