How to be SharkSmart

DPI Shark Scientist Dr Amy Smoothey shares the simplest ways to be SharkSmart and reminds beachgoers it is important to remember the ocean is a sharks' domain and there is no 100% safeguard against a shark encounter.

NSW Shark Program

The NSW Government has committed $8 million to the 2020/21 NSW Shark Program to use the most effective ways to protect beachgoers from sharks, backed by five years of scientific research. The Program includes:

• Drone surveillance at 34 key swimming locations;
• 35 SMART drumlines in the Ballina and Richmond Valley Local Government Areas;
• 21 VR4G listening stations along the NSW coastline to detected and alert the community to the presence of tagged sharks;
• The continuation of the Shark Meshing Bather Protection program between Newcastle and Wollongong; and
• The SharkSmart app and community awareness and education programs

Check out the map of the NSW Shark Program (PDF, 1805.04 KB)

Get real-time shark alerts

Swimmers and surfers can download the SharkSmart app, or follow @NSWSharkSmart on Twitter for real-time shark alerts.

Learn more about sharks

Dive in and find out more about shark species found in NSW.

Nearly all shark bites in coastal waters are attributed to just three species: White Sharks (also known as Great White Sharks and White Pointers), Bull Sharks and Tiger Sharks.

For more information visit www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au