Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf: Shark fear

On a winter Sunday in early August, I went for a bodysurf at Fairy Meadow Beach and was surprised to see a SLS NSW drone surveillance patrol tent because the beach was almost completely empty with no one in the water. 

I talked to the drone operator who said they were flying drones seven days a week at the beach. I found this ironic given there were rip currents all along the beach, but no lifeguards because it was winter and the number of beach users doesn’t warrant having a lifeguard service. 

So why doesn’t this logic apply to shark drone surveillance? That’s a big financial investment for a pretty empty beach during the winter. Clearly this was part of the recent $34 million NSW Government investment into the drone program, but I couldn’t help wondering what the thought process was behind this decision. Or if the drone operator would have been able to rescue someone caught in a rip.

While I was contemplating this in the water, the drone operator set off the shark alarm! 

My first thought was, “No way… what are the odds of that?” But then I had visions of being dismembered, so I came in. 

The operator told me he saw something small about 30 metres away from me, but wasn’t sure and his drone battery was running out so he had to bring it back to the beach. Better safe than sorry. I was very grateful and appreciative and thanked him for looking after me. But now I’m going to be thinking about sharks next time I have a swim. 

And I don’t want to. 

I’ve never really been bothered about sharks, but now I am, not just because of the recent shark-bite incidents, but because of the constant news and footage of shark sightings from drones. I know a lot of people, including experienced surfers, who feel exactly the same way.  

I really think this is going to be the summer of drones, shark sightings and shark fear and I think a lot of people will lose their joy of going in the ocean. 

I’m worried that with more drones, more shark sightings and more beach closures, people will seek out unpatrolled beaches with no drones that aren’t closed, but at the recent Australian Water Safety Summit the general manager of SLS NSW said he thought more people would go to patrolled beaches because of the safety net provided by shark drone surveillance. That’s a good point and I think he’s right, but will they go in the water? 

I hope so, but there’s so much to unpack with this issue and so many unknowns. I think it needs a research study, something that should have happened before the $34 million was handed out. Anyone keen to help?

Have a question for Dr Rip? Email rbrander@unsw.edu.au