The New South Wales (NSW) government began the first drone field tests Wednesday in an effort to curb shark attacks occuring at Coffs Harbour, a coastal city north of Sydney.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries began looking into preventative measures following a shark attack on a 36-year-old male that occured over the summer. The attack was the latest after a string of incidences that began in 2013 with the death of a 19-year-old surfer.
NSW government officials are rolling out a $16 million "shark strategy" program that uses drones to address the issue, according to a press release.
The drones will feed images and GPS coordinates back to an operator in real-time in an effort to spot sharks and prevent attacks before they can occur.
Australia has the second highest incidences of shark attacks, following the United States, according to data collected between 1900 and 2012. It's also the country with the highest incidences of fatal shark attacks. This year alone, there were 33 shark attacks off the coast of Australia, two of which were fatal.
In addition to the drone footage, the government will also ramp up ariel helicopter surveillance and put in place smart drum lines, which are basically nets used to humanely capture sharks in shallow water.
“There is no easy way to reduce risks for swimmers and surfers," Niall Blair, minister for Primary Industries, said in a press statement. "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."
