Camouflage wetsuits and surfboards and electronic shark shields that surfers can attach to their boards are a few ideas on the discussion table.

Aerosol cans that smell like dead sharks are also among technologies offered at the international shark summit in Sydney on Tuesday. Different barriers include electronic, plastic bubble and magnetic have been identified and will be trialled. 

But while the 70 international shark scientists toss back and forth ideas on how best to keep jaws from our shores, the Illawarra region has it’s very own protector. And we have done for years.

Our red and yellow eye in the sky roams the coastline during the busy swim seasons from Mollymook to Stanwell Park to make sure beach goers don’t become shark bait.

From 500 feet above sea level the Bendigo Bank Aerial Patrol, operating on the smell of an oily rag, acts as the region’s warning system.

With no government funding the plane and its handful of pilots rely on donations, sponsorhip and fundraising yet leads the way in patrolling and know better than anyone what’s needed to keep the Illawarra’s 17 beaches safe.

Patrol chief Harry Mitchell has years and years of experience and knows the hotspots, the species, and the times of year that they’re most likely to visit. He has all kinds of ideas about how best to tackle the issue of shark attacks the nation that has the highest rate of attacks in the world. 

Mr Mitchell says a multi-faceted approached is needed to keep our beaches safe his summer. He will also be keeping a close eye on the finding from the experts who are exploring the success of sonar technology, shark spotting, clever buoys and shields.

Let’s hope the government also listens to what our eyes in the sky have to say – the dedicated volunteer best positioned to have an expert opinion.

Even better, let’s hope they find a way to send some funds Harry Mitchell’s way.

Red and yellow flying over Illawarra waters is a site most beachgoers won’t ever want to do without.