Shark-Spotting Drones To Be Trialled In Western Australia

The West Australian government has committed to spending $AUD88k on the latest in state of the art drone technology to aid their ‘Shark Mitigation Strategy’ in the state’s south-west.

The drones will carry high-definition cameras which live-stream footage of the coastline back to surf lifesaving staff.  

The technology will be rolled out across Perth metropolitan beaches and the state’s south-west, along with surf carnivals and community events. 

“Drone technology has advanced significantly in recent years and it makes sense to test if it can be used effectively to make our beaches safer,” Fisheries Minister Joe Francis told ABC. 

“It’s important any responsible government adopt evolving technologies to help keep people safe.

“It will be flown in different areas over different events over the next three months and we will assess the successfulness of that.”

Opposition leader, Mark McGowan also raised the idea of the government subsidising shark-shield technology for the ocean-going public. Though Minister Francis said he would not support it. 

“When it comes to subsidising a commercial, individually-worn safety product, my view would be that that is not the role of government,” he told the ABC.

“You should not be paying tax to subsidise the individual safety product for different sports,” he said.