New $16m shark defence strategy to launch in Australia's NSW
A new five-year $16 million shark defence strategy is set to be rolled out in NSW, Australia - and will include in-water sonar technology that warns when a shark is nearby.
The minister for primary industries, Niall Blair, announced the plan, and said increased helicopter surveillance, the sonar technology devices called Clever Buoys, and eco-friendly nets that protect other marine life will be used.
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According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Clever Buoy uses sonar to detect and distinguish the type of shark, and sends a signal to an Optus satellite which alerts the local life-saving club.
The Clever Buoys will be trialled at five beaches, including at least one Sydney metropolitan beach.
The SharkSmart app will also be updated so people receive real-time warnings on their smartphones when a shark is spotted in the area.
The plan comes after there has been 13 attacks and one fatality in NSW alone in the last year.
There will be 20 listening stations set up along the coast to track sharks, and drones will be flown above beaches looking for sharks.
According to the Guardian, Mr Blair said: "After considering the advice from experts attending a recent summit in Sydney and consulting with communities including the north coast, we will take a multi-faceted approach to the issue of detecting and deterring sharks.
"What's more, we are proud to be the first jurisdiction anywhere in the world to adopt an integrated approach toward keeping our beaches safe."
