Almost 150 sharks have been detected by drones in 545 flights over six newly monitored beaches across Queensland this summer.
Under its SharkSmart drone surveillance program, the government says that 149 sharks were detected in four months at Kirra Beach (Gold Coast), Cylinder Beach (North Stradbroke Island),
Tangalooma (Moreton Island, holidays), Kings Beach (Sunshine Coast), Kelly’s Beach (Bundaberg) and Agnes Water Main Beach.
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett says the drone program has been expanded to even more of the state’s most popular beaches.
“We boosted investment into the Shark Control Program by 151%, resulting in more than $88 million in additional funding over the life of the plan to return it to its primary purpose; to protect swimmers at select beaches from shark attacks,” he says.
“Importantly, 60% of the new investment delivers non-lethal and innovative solutions of the strengthened Shark Management Plan 2025-2029.”
> Click here to learn more about sharks.
DRONES USE EXPANDING
He says the government is “on track” to double its drone program to 20 beaches for the 2026–27 season.
“We’re particularly proud to be expanding the drone surveillance program across beaches on the southern Gold Coast, where we’ve been able to obtain all the relevant permits to allow drone flights in restricted air space.”
In 2025, the SharkSmart detected more than 862 sharks at 16 monitored beaches, with 124 of those greater than 2m in length, the government says.
The SharkSmart drones are stationed at key Queensland beaches to monitor and detect sharks as well as gather data on shark behaviour.
For more information about the SharkSmart program, visit https://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news-media/campaigns/sharksmart/equipment/drones.
MONITORED BEACHES
Burleigh Beach, Gold Coast; Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast; Main Beach, Gold Coast;
Minjerribah (Main Beach), North Stradbroke Island; Woorim Beach, Bribie Island (summer holidays only); Alexandra Headland, Sunshine Coast; Coolum North, Sunshine Coast; Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast; Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Coast and Alma Bay, Magnetic Island.
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