AS holidaying crowds flocked to Nobbys Beach in Newcastle yesterday morning, the latest in shark monitoring technologies - a camera drone with speakers to allow the operator to warn swimmers - was flying overhead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sitting in his distinctive red-and-yellow tent with a tablet in his hands, Surf Life Saving Club volunteer Simon Lovell was operating the drone, and monitoring the ocean below it as it ranged up and down the beach as part of the statewide SharkSmart program funded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
RELATED READING:
Beachgoers can keep up with shark spottings with a SharkSmart app or on the SharkSmart Twitter page, which give real-time warnings of sightings, beach closures and drum-line captures.
Surf Life Saving NSW says the $8-million program means that every NSW coastal local government area will have at least one patrol location using the drones - or "unmanned aerial vehicles" or UAVs - this summer season. It says 34 locations are operating this summer, up from 18 last summer.
The other locations in our region are Hawks Nest Beach, Birubi Point and Redhead Beach.
The main limit is wind, with the drones grounded once the breeze hits 10 metres a second or 36 kilometres an hour, as can often happen with nor-easters on summer afternoons. Mr Lovell said the program was building in the Hunter, with more and more SLSC volunteers trained and accredited to fly the drones.
"The aim is to integrate them into normal patrols, so that a UAV will be like having an inflatable now, just another standard water safety aid," Mr Lovell said.
FROM THE SHARKIVES
The incidents listed in the opening graphic are:
January 23, 2021: A 68-year-old man seriously injured after being bitten on the arm by a suspected Bull shark while swimming at Yarrawonga Park, Lake Macquarie.
January 11, 2021: Nobbys and Newcastle beaches closed after a shark sighting.
December 4, 2021, Nobbys Beach closed after a three-metre shark was sighted near Nobbys reef.
September 20, 2020: Fishermen release a 2.5-3 metre great white shark that became caught in a crab trap at Bonnells Bay, Lake Macquarie.
February 24, 2020: Blacksmiths Beach after "three-to-four metre" shark spotted off beach.
October 3, 2018: Newcastle Beach closed after a three-metre shark sighted off South Newcastle Beach.
April 20, 2018: Aaron Carey, 18, attacked by three-metre grey nurse shark while participating in a spearfishing competition at Tomaree. The shark 'latched on' to his arm for a few seconds before releasing it.
November 15, 2017: British doctor, Charlie Fry, 25, bitten on the right shoulder by two-metre shark at Avoca Beach. He sustained scratches and puncture wounds,
October 27, 2017: A 31-year-old man was bitten on the foot at Birubi Beach, Anna Bay.
April 20, 2017: Fishermen haul ashore a three-metre bull shark found dead in Swansea Channel.
December 2, 2016: Colin Rowland, 62, had a chunk taken out of his foot when a great white shark snapped his surfboard in half at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach near Booti Booti National Park.
September 4, 2015: former Newcastle firefighter and surf lifesaver Dave Quinlivan, 65, fought off a great white shark which launched out of the water and grabbed onto his left foot as he paddled off Black Head Beach near Forster.
February 6, 2015: A bodysurfer bitten on the left ankle while in the waves behind the Ladies Pool at Merewether Beach.
January 13, 2015: Newcastle beaches closed after a five-metre shark has been spotted off Stockton breakwall and at Dudley
December 3, 2014: Fishermen record a three-metre great white shark breaching near Pulbah Island in Lake Macquarie.
January 18, 2012: Glen 'Lenny' Folkard, Redhead; attacked while surfing.
January 3, 2012: Surfer grabbed on arm at North Avoca beach on Central Coast.
March 23, 2011: Dave Pearson, 48, Crowdy Head; attacked while surfing.
March 17, 2011: Lisa Mondy, 24, Jimmys beach; mauled while wakeboarding.
December 15, 2009: Juvenile shark leaves two teeth embedded in a surfboat sweep's oar off Bennetts beach at Hawks Nest.
April 2008: Jamie Adlington, 18, Crescent Head; bitten on the lower back and buttocks.
December 2007: Ben Morcom, 31,The Boulders near Jimmys beach; bitten on the buttock.
January 2007: Blueys beach surf photographer David Sparkes finds teeth marks in his surfboard.
April 2006: Luke Cook, Cowrie Hole; shark tooth lodged in foot.
January 2006: Mark Peterson, Patonga on the Central Coast; catches three-metre bull shark
October 2005: Stockton Bight; surfers catch great whites within minutes of dropping baits from boards
March 2005: Chris Parkes, Crackneck break; knocked from surfboard
January 2005: Newcastle beach lifeguard rings shark alarm twice in a week
October 2004: John Gresham, Stockton; needs stitches
February 2004: Luke Tresoglavic, Caves Beach; bitten on leg
December 2003: A bull shark sighted near Throsby Creek
November 2003: Nick Anthony, near Seal Rocks; bitten on ankle
April 2002: John Schneider, Bar Beach; bitten on foot by bronze whaler
April 2002: Fishermen catch tiger shark off Newcastle with human skull, arm and pelvis in its stomach
January 2002: Matthew Cribb, Fingal Spit; mauled by tiger shark
IN OTHER NEWS:
For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email.
Ian Kirkwood
Reporting journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1987. Editorial writer, general reporter, industrial relations, industry and coal.
Reporting journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1987. Editorial writer, general reporter, industrial relations, industry and coal.
