The first great white sharks have been tagged as part of the NSW Government’s new monitoring measures to protect north-coast communities following the many attacks in the recent months.
The $250,000 project will also involve water surveillance and monitoring and a campaign to educate the public about the species with Surf Lifesaving NSW.
A bodyboarder was bitten by a shark on Saturday at Lighthouse Beach, south of Port Macquarie on the mid-north coast, only less than a week ago and a surfer was mauled to death in the Ballina area in February and 11 others have been attacked in recent months on the NSW north coast.
The tagging is taking place to better understand their movements and behaviour patterns to prevent these shark attacks.
‘We are determined to make our beaches safer. That’s why we are investing $250,000 in a suite of measures, including this crucial research program, a review of new technologies, and a targeted awareness campaign.’ Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair told the ABC.
The NSW Government are also looking at funding for look out towers on North Coast beaches. The outcomes of an independent review into shark deterrent technology are also expected to be released next month.
