Safety is being bolstered at beaches across the state with the expansion of the SharkSmart drone program.
The drones are stationed at key Queensland beaches, to monitor sharks and gather data on their movements and behaviour.
In 2025 the drones spotted 862 sharks at 16 beaches, with 124 bigger than 2-metres in length.
The program was expanded to 6 new beaches this summer, including at Kings Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Kelly’s Beach in Bargara and Agnes Water Main Beach.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett says the Government is hoping to deliver the program to 20 beaches for the 2026-27 season.
“Importantly, 60 per cent of the new investment delivers the non-lethal and innovative solutions that have been a key feature of the strengthened Shark Management Plan 2025-2029.”
“Our beaches are where Queenslanders and visitors to love to relax, cool off and enjoy some rest and relaxation and now some of our busiest beaches are even safer thanks to the expanded SharkSmart drone surveillance program,” Minister Perrett says.
