NSW Shark Management Program
In March 2022, the NSW Government committed $85.6 million to continue the effective, evidence-based Shark Management Program until June 2026. A further $4.4 million was also committed for immediate additional response measures in 2021/22, including tagged shark listening stations, SMART drumlines, rapid response vessels, Surf Life Saving NSW resources, long range drone trials and research into biteproof wetsuit materials.
2023/24 NSW Shark Management Program update
The current status of tagged shark listening stations and SMART drumline deployments in NSW.
View larger Shark Listening Station Map
View larger SMART drumline deployments
Learn more
Surf Life Saving NSW drone surveillance program
There are 50 SLS NSW drone surveillance locations across the state under the NSW Shark Management Program. Further trials are being done looking at long-range flights and extended line of sight.
Surfing NSW partnership
In an Australian first, the NSW Government has partnered with Surfing NSW to provide funding to help keep surfers safe.
The partnership includes first-aid training through Surfing NSW’s Surfers Rescue 24/7 program, and customised medical kits and training to more than 126 NSW boardrider clubs, 60 surf schools, 177 surf coaches and 20 high performance surf coaches.
The partnership also includes drones and pilot training.
Keep up to date with the program through surfingnsw.com.au
SharkSmart App now available on smart watches
Receive real-time alerts with the SharkSmart watch app - download today
Available for Google Wear OS smart watches soon.
FAQs about Watch App
SMART Drumlines: Shark Management Alert in Real Time
NSW is leading the world in trials of SMART Drumlines, which are both a shark mitigation tool and a research tool that reduce the risk of interactions with sharks while minimising the impact on marine species.
SMART Drumlines
Stay SharkSmart with our app Check the latest sightings and tagged shark detections before you hit the water in NSW.
Download the SharkSmart app today
For iOS visit the iTunes store, or for Android visit Google Play.