Shark-spotting drones launched in tribute to surfer

Sunday, 3 May 2026 17:41

Surfers are being trained to use shark-spotting drones as part of a new plan to keep our beaches safe all year round.

Surfers are being trained to use shark-spotting drones as part of a new plan to keep our beaches safe all year.

The drone program is being launched in tribute to boardrider Mercury Psillakis, who was killed in a shark attack at Dee Why on Sydney's Northern Beaches in September.

For the Psillakis family, the tragedy of a fatal shark attack remains very raw.

But their grief is tempered by the new program, with each drone carrying the 57-year-old's name.

"He'd be proud that he's somewhat responsible for extra safety on our beaches," wife Maria said.

"He'd probably cry, knowing Merc."

The experienced surfer was fatally bitten by a white shark.

His brother Michael thinks drones could have saved him.

"If there was a drone in the sky that day, my brother would still be with us," he said.

But it won't be just one; 60 drones are being rolled out from Newcastle to Wollongong.

"The government is trying to embrace new technology and new ways of monitoring for sharks and keeping people safe on our beaches," Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said.

But unlike those operated by surf life savers only when patrolling, these will be flown by boardrider clubs during carnivals and training sessions 365 days a year.

unlike those operated by surf life savers only when patrolling, these will be flown by boardrider clubs during carnivals and training sessions 365 days a year.

Ben Wheeler from Mona Vale Boar riders is one of 125 now undergoing drone pilot training.

"I think having that early warning, as was said earlier, is amazing, you know just to keep our members safe in the water," he said.

The drone program will cost $650,000 out of a $30 million shark safety budget.

"We saw activity from bull sharks over the summer and now we're heading into a period where we'll see more white sharks on our beaches and waterways, so I'd encourage people to download the Shark Smart app," Moriarty said.

That app tracks in real time sharks that have been tagged, alerting surfers to any activity on their local beach.

While these require a pilot to fly, the next generation of fully automated drones with AI technology able to identify sharks and shark species and able to fly from dawn until dusk is already being considered.

It's the legacy of a hero surfer who in the face of an attack, tried to warn others.

"It's just upsetting he's not here to see it," Maria said.