By Caitlin Fitzsimmons,Max Maddison
Publication Date: 2026-06-15 06:06:00
An early warning system to detect sharks on popular beaches and raise alarms could be introduced by summer as the New South Wales government expands its existing shark mitigation strategy, scientists say.
The call came as Prime Minister Chris Minns said culling Sydney’s bull sharks was being actively considered but would be ruled out for white sharks. Minns told reporters on Monday that all options were on the table, including a significant increase in beach patrols by automated drones following the mauling of a swimmer by a great white shark on Coogee Beach.
Professor Culum Brown from Macquarie University said an early warning system could use autonomous drones to fly back and forth over a bay, with built-in sensors and artificial intelligence to detect any sharks.
“You can have it as soon as the drone detects a…
