Listen up sharks, we can hear you

Black Head shark attack survivor rides in surveillance chopper click here

It is among eight of 20 listening stations that will be deployed off beaches on the NSW coastline from Kingscliff to Forster.

The brightly coloured yellow buoy deployed by the Department of Primary Industries is part of the state government’s $16 million Shark Management Strategy. 

It will provide real-time updates and tagged shark movements, forming what local member for Myall Lakes says is an “important part of the state’s integrated shark management strategy.”

“The real time information will be made available immediately via the Department of Primary Industries website and to Surf Life Saving NSW and other relevant groups to provide current information on the movements of the tagged sharks,” Mr Bromhead said.

As soon as a tagged shark swims within about 500 metres of a listening station, an alert will be issued with its location.

“Though there is no one solution to this issue - the listening station will go a long way in better informing us about if and where sharks are along our coastline.”

Boaters are advised to keep clear of new customised buoys, which are around 3.5 metres long and fitted with 3.5 metre long steel sub-frames. 

The buoys have been deployed at a depth of 10 to 12 metres off beaches at Kingscliff, Lennox Headland, Evans Head, Yamba, Coffs Harbour (Park Beach), South West Rocks (Front Beach), Port Macquarie (Lighthouse Beach) and Forster’s Main Beach.

Vessel operators are advised to exercise caution when navigating near the buoys which are marked by a yellow flashing light with a range of two nautical miles and a flash rate of one second on, four seconds off. 

Roads and Maritime reminds people to wear a lifejacket when boating, especially in vessels smaller than 4.8 metres when alone, at night or offshore. 

For more information on the DPI strategy visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/sharks/nsw-shark-management-strategy