SHARKS along the north coast of NSW will be increasingly watched and tagged as part of a suite of measures undertaken in response to recent shark attacks in the area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
RELATED CONTENT: Swimming with friends could save lives...click here
Primary Industries minister Niall Blair said the $250,000 campaign is designed to reduce the risk of further shark attacks head of the predicted warmer spring and summer conditions.
“I am acutely aware of the concerns of communities on the North Coast following a spate of recent shark attacks – we want to make sure we do everything we can to help keep swimmers and surfers safe in our waters,” Mr Blair said.
“Let’s not forget the ocean is the domain of the shark, however this government is taking action to gain a better understanding of the local risks and how they can be reduced to help inform and protect the public. Within the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), we have world-renowned shark experts who will be temporarily based on the North Coast and leading this important work.”
The DPI said that the campaign will involve on-water surveillance by experts as well as a targeted research program up and down the north coast, which will involve tagging and tracking of local sharks, Fisheries boats to assess local conditions including the presence of bait fish and water temperature levels, lookout towers from the Towers Grant program, new shark control technologies including deterrents and barriers and significant investment in educating the public to be SharkSmart through schools and surf life saving clubs.
The research is aimed at determining shark behaviour in local waters, providing a pivotal piece of the picture when it comes to understanding the shark population and their interactions with humans.
The program is not currently planned to extend into the mid north coast although a spokesperson for the DPI said data from this region will be relevant to the project. So far this year Taronga Zoo’s Australian Shark Attack Files have recorded 11 unprovoked shark attacks in NSW, with five people injured, five uninjured and one fatality. They said there is currently no scientific data to suggest an increase in shark activity however the tagging project led by Dr Vic Peddemors will provide further information on this.
A report on the research will be released by the DPI Fisheries next year.
