New technologies are being explored to better protect swimmers and surfers from sharks, but the Illawarra’s aerial patrol boss says existing measures must be part of an overall safety package.
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The Bendigo Bank Aerial Patrol – and its red and yellow fixed-wing aircraft – has been a fixture of Illawarra skies in summer since 1957.
Known affectionately as the “shark patrol”, the volunteer crew on-board are a warning system relied upon by those on the ground.
“There’s not one silver bullet that’s going to be the be all and end all in keeping people safe from sharks, rather it’s a suite of measures,” aerial patrol general manager Harry Mitchell said.
“It’s not all about aerial patrol, but aerial patrol is one of those suite of measures.”
An international shark summit in Sydney on Tuesday explored a number of emerging deterrent and detection technologies, including electronic barriers and chemical repellents.
The Illawarra-based aerial patrol service wasn’t part of the talks, however Mr Mitchell did meet with the Department of Primary Industries two weeks ago.
“It [the summit] is the start of a long process. There’ll be ongoing debate for a considerable period, of which aerial patrol will certainly play a significant part,” he said.
“It’s got to be a win-win situation. Swimmers, surfers have got to have the comfort that measures are in place to help keep them safe.”
There’s not one silver bullet that’s going to be the be all and end all in keeping people safe from sharks, rather it’s a suite of measures.
- Harry Mitchell
Mr Mitchell said it was about finding a balance, given most people wanted to see sharks stay safe as well.
“All of this emerging technology is going to help us get there but I think you still need the basis of what we’ve all been about - beach towers, jet skis, IRBs, offshore boats and aerial patrol,” he said. Although he isn’t a fan of the state’s shark meshing program, Mr Mitchell said it had to be considered it as part of the suite of measures.
Five Illawarra beaches are netted by contractors under the program - Coledale, Austinmer, Thirroul, North Wollongong and South Wollongong (City Beach).
The region’s shark hotspots are areas where estuaries meet the ocean. The service has seen a “consistent number” of the predators.
The patrol will be in the air on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until December 18. Daily patrols will be undertaken from that time until the end of January.
