Full Breakdown
NSW Winter Drone Surveillance Triggers Hundreds of Beach Evacuations
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Winter Drone Patrols and Immediate Outcomes
During July and August 2026, the New South Wales government deployed surveillance drones over coastal waters for the first time in winter. Department of Primary Industries data released on September 27, 2026 show the drones recorded more than 1,200 shark detections, prompting 360 interventions that included alarms, jet-ski deployments and full beach evacuations. Notable incidents involved a two-metre great white spotted 150 metres offshore at South Narrabeen in early July, followed ten minutes later by two additional great whites, and a four-metre bull shark observed 50 metres offshore at Urunga. The program’s alerts also led to evacuations at popular northern-beach sites such as Warriewood, Woolgoolga, Bondi, Manly, Dee Why and Cronulla.
Background and Catalyst
The winter drone initiative was announced after a series of fatal shark attacks earlier in the year, including the September-2025 death of 57-year-old surfer Mercury Psillakis at Dee Why and the killing of 12-year-old Nico Antic in Vaucluse. Premier Chris Minn Minns subsequently met with the victims’ families and with shark-attack survivor Leah Stewart, using those consultations to justify a year-long drone surveillance program and a trial of artificial-intelligence tools to aid shark detection and species identification.
Data and Program Scale
- Detections: >1,200 shark sightings (July–August 2026)
- Interventions: 360 alerts, alarms, jet-ski deployments, evacuations
- Budget: $120 million allocated to the drone program, described by Primary Industries Minister Tara Moriarty as one of the world’s most comprehensive efforts
- Equipment: 73 fixed-wing drones scheduled to patrol 97 beaches, operating from 6:15 am to 6:30 pm in October and extending to 7:30 pm by December; seven additional remotely operated drones will cover sites such as Crowdy Head, Avalon and Mona Vale
Official Statements and Responses
Premier Minns warned that heightened surveillance would likely increase the number of shark sightings, emphasizing that more detections do not necessarily indicate a rise in shark populations. Minister Moriarty framed the $120 million investment as a “foundational platform” delivering “eyes in the sky” to monitor target species—white, bull and tiger sharks—and to enable rapid countermeasures.
Expansion Plans
The government announced that, beginning with the spring and summer school holidays, the drone network will expand to cover 97 beaches across the state. Patrol hours will be extended, and the additional remotely operated drones will augment coverage at selected locations, aiming to maintain continuous monitoring throughout the peak swimming season.