Shark management along the coastline is overseen by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD).

NSW DPIRD initiatives for sharks include:

• Using drone surveillance for confirmed shark sightings. This helps identify the type of shark and track its movements.
• Smart drumlines.
• Shark listening stations.
• Shark nets.

Be SharkSmart

One of the simplest ways you can reduce the risk of encountering a shark is to only swim at patrolled beaches, and to stay between the flags.

This is the safest place to swim because lifesavers and lifeguards are there to monitor beach and water conditions and keep beach goers as safe as possible.

Pay attention to the advice of the lifeguards and safety signs. Patrolled beaches may also sound shark alarms. You should leave the water as soon as an alarm is sounded or a shark is spotted.

Follow these key tips to stay SharkSmart:

• Avoid swimming and surfing at dawn, dusk and night – sharks can see you but you can’t see them.
• Keep away from murky, dirty water, and waters with known effluents or sewage.
• Avoid areas with signs of bait fish or fish feeding activity; diving seabirds are a good indicator of fish activity.
• Avoid swimming in canals and swimming or surfing in river / harbour mouths.

Visit the SharkSmart website to learn more about how to stay safe, current shark management programs, and to download the SharkSmart app.