WA shark-tagging program to be expanded as funding announced for AI drones
This means more helicopter patrols, it means expanded aerial coverage across metropolitan and South West beaches, it means more lifeguards on duty, more drone patrols, at those high-use metropolitan and regional beaches over summer,
Western Australia's shark-tagging program is set to expand, and the use of AI-powered drones will be investigated as part of a suite of measures aimed at keeping beachgoers safe.
WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis announced that the state's shark mitigation budget would be boosted by $5 million amid an increase in shark activity, following a whale washing up at City Beach last week and a swimmer being killed by a shark at Sorrento Beach last month.
Boost to Shark Mitigation Efforts
Ms Jarvis said $2.3 million would go towards boosting helicopter and aerial surveillance, with $1.2 million to support additional beach and drone patrols.
Funding has also been set aside to investigate whether AI-powered shark-spotting drones used on the east coast could help future surveillance efforts in WA.
Authorities hope the technology will enable the automated detection of sharks, and the identification of the species, while allowing operators to utilise multiple drones at the same time.
Ms Jarvis said the funding, which would bring the government's investment in shark mitigation to $12 million, would make a major difference.