Shark detection technology trial off Sydney
Scientists and fisheries managers hope to detect white pointers at Bondi BeachThe trial of the Clever Buoy program has arrived off Sydney using sonar technology deployed off Bondi Beach on Monday February 15, 2016. This is the latest effort by NSW Government in its $16 million Shark Management Strategy to reduce interactions between sharks and humans.
"This is a pre-commercial trial of new technology to detect sharks in Sydney – the testing of this sonar technology is a critically important part of the NSW Government’s $16 million Shark Management Strategy to reduce the risk of shark attacks on the state’s beaches," Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, said.
When it comes to detecting sharks, Mr Blair believes sonar technology is the Holy Grail. He adds that the NSW Government is determined to do what it can to support getting new technologies, like Clever Buoy, off the ground.
Richard Talmage of Shark Mitigation Systems Ltd, the developer of Clever Buoy, said the smart ocean buoy uses new sonar technology with tailored software to detect shark-sized objects in coastal waters.
"The Clever Buoy identifies large swimming objects, like sharks, and sends real-time valuable information to lifeguards on the beach," Mr Talmage said.
The unit has been deployed approximately 500 metres offshore and will be trialed for an extended period to further test and confirm the system’s capabilities and information flow to Bondi lifeguards for dangerous sharks.
Further updates to the NSW Government’s $16 million shark strategy include the roll out of eight VR4G listening stations on the north and mid north coasts this week.
They will be deployed off Coffs Harbour, Yamba and South West Rocks, Lennox Head, Kingscliff, Evans Head, Port Macquarie and Forster.
Two listening stations are already situated off Sharpes Beach and Lighthouse Beach on the North Coast. An additional 10 listening will be deployed south of Forster at a later date.
There have been a lot of shark sightings this summer with some seriously big frenzies in Pittwater leading local fishing guides to warn the public about swimming in the waterway. We heard about these sharks on the fishing grapevine and you can read about the shark warning in Pittwater here
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