Two 2.2 metre female great white sharks have been tagged so scientists can track them and study their movements over the coming months to gain a better understanding of behaviour patterns.
Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said the government’s North Coast Local Waters Shark Tagging Project would provide vital information about sharks and their movements on the North Coast.
“The more information we have, the better equipped we are to implement measures to reduce the risk of further attacks,” Mr Blair said.
Researchers from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and CSIRO will continue the tagging program in coming days if weather conditions are favourable.
To help make NSW’s beaches safer, the government is investing $250,000 in a suite of measures, including this crucial tagging research program, a review of new technologies and a targeted awareness campaign.
Other moves the government is taking to ensure safer beaches are:
- Deploying DPI fisheries vessels to conduct on-water surveillance.
- Fast-tracking applications for the lookout towers funding from the Towers Grant Program.
- Maintaining strong linkages with the Ballina Shire Shark Mitigation Advisory Group.
- Undertaking an independent review into available shark deterrent technology, which will inform any future trials to be conducted in NSW waters, including on the North Coast.