Surf life saver drones are proving their worth for shark safety with the eyes in the sky spotting a big school of sharks near swimmers and surfers off a popular NSW north coast beach. The large school of whaler sharks was spotted at Evans Head, causing the beach to be closed for most of the day. A Surf Life Saving UAV (Unmanned aerial vehicle) operator conducting aerial surveillance for the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spotted the group of about 40 sharks just offshore at the popular holiday spot. Drone footage shows a school of sharks at Evans Head. Picture: Surf Life Saving NSW
Drone operator spots school of 40 sharks at NSW beach, forcing its closure
A drone has spotted a large school of sharks at Evans Head on NSW s north coast, causing authorities to shut the beach yesterday.
A Surf Life Saving drone operator was conducting routine aerial surveillance on the beach when they spotted the school of approximately 40 sharks just before 11.30am on Wednesday.
It is believed the school mostly composed of spinner, dusky and bull sharks.
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About 100 swimmers and surfers were evacuated from the beach once the sharks were located.
The drone program is run by the Department of Primary Industries, and is in operation at 34 beaches over summer.
A school of sharks at Evans Head. Photo SLS NSW.
A large school of whaler sharks was spotted at Evans Head yesterday, causing the beach to be closed for most of the day.
A Surf Life Saving UAV operator conducting aerial surveillance on behalf of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spotted the group of around 40 sharks just offshore at the popular holiday spot.
Northern NSW Lifeguard Coordinator Scott McCartney said around 100 swimmers and surfers were evacuated from Evans Head Main Beach around 11.30am on Wednesday.
‘The UAV operator was doing a flight to the north of the lifeguard’s flagged area when he spotted a few sharks,’ he said.