Advertisement

Drones Set To Be Used To Protect Swimmers Against Shark Attacks

Swimmers in Australia will have a new line of defence against man-eating sharks in the shape of drones.

The government in New South Wales are trialling the use of the unmanned flying vehicles to fly over the waters in search of potential dangers.

It follows on from a spate of shark attacks on swimmers, one of which proving fatal.

Live images will be fed back from the drones to an operator on shore, who can track a potential shark right down to the specific GPS coordinates.

Minister Niall Blair said: “There is no easy way to reduce risks for swimmers and surfers.

"We are delivering on a commitment to test the best science available, including new technologies, as we try to find an effective long-term solution to keep our beaches safe.”

Protection: The drones will monitor sharks that stray too close to swimmers (Thinkstock/Getty)

Tags will also be attached to sharks, which can then be monitored wherever they roam.

Describing the ‘drum line’ technology that will be used to tag the sharks, Mr Blair said: “They’re like a baited hook that has technology connected to it so when the bait is taken, a message is sent to our vessels and they’ll attend those lines immediately.

"They will then tag and release the sharks that are caught on those.

“So they’re very different to the traditional drum lines which could have sharks sitting on them for days before they’re checked.”

Similar technology is already being used by lifeguards in California to monitor great white sharks.

There have been 12 attacks across the western coast of Australia this year, including on a Japanese surfer, who died when his legs were bitten off by a shark in February.

Top pic: Thinkstock/Getty