Shark Patrol Australia: Call for Aerial Shark Patrols

Shark Patrol Australia: Call for Aerial Shark Patrols

Call for aerial beach patrols on NSW south coast
By: Oliver Koester
January 10, 2006
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WORRIED surfer and swimmer call for an aerial shark patrol after new shark spottings on the NSW south coast in the direct aftermath of the the horrifying shark death of a scuba diver at North Stradbroke Iskand, east of Brisbane on Saturday.

Four large sharks, including a five metre great white, have been sighted cruising close to swimmers on the NSW south coast, said Harry Mitchell, manager of Australian Aerial Patrol, an aerial shark patrol company.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) alerted Australian Aerial Patrols after a surfer today reported sighting a shark, larger than his surfboard, at Caves beach near Jervis Bay at dusk yesterday, an AFP spokeswoman said.

Today's sightings, near Jervis Bay, were made about the same time lifesavers cleared Sydney's Bronte and Tamarama beaches after a bronze whaler shark was seen by surfers about 2.20pm (AEDT).

According to Mr. Mitchell the great white was seen off Shoalhaven beach before being spotted by his shark patrol plane travelling with another large shark less than 50m from swimmers at Hyams Beach.
"Crew immediately sounded the siren to evacuate swimmers from the water," Mr Mitchell said.

A girl swimming at Long Beach near Batemans Bay reported seeing a 1.5m shark about 2.25pm (AEDT), NSW Police said. Australian Aerial Patrols were informed about the sighting. Mr. Mitchell confirmed later the spotting of another couple of five metre sharks, possibly bull sharks, from his aircraft at Long Beach. Once again swimmers were alerted to clear the water early enough.

Mr Mitchell, whose company patrols south coast beaches - and used to patrol Sydney beaches from 1992 to 2003 before funding was cut - today asked the state government to meet the $100,000 cost of resuming patrols in Sydney, during summer weekends and public holidays. "Particularly after recent shark sightings at meshed beaches in Sydney this summer," Mr Mitchell said.

The money for aerial shark patrols in NSW comes from fund-raising, corporate sponsorship and local government grants. Mr. Mitchell said all of his crews were experienced at spotting sharks. "We don't use binoculars, we use our eyes and we do spot sharks."

The Humane Society International (HSI) backed the call for aerial shark patrols over Sydney. "Aerial patrols are a better safety measure than the current shark nets on ocean beaches which kill thousands of harmless marine animals every year," HSI spokeswoman Nicola Benyon said.

New South Wales Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald has questioned the effectiveness of aerial shark patrols but said today he was willing to consider their reintroduction for Sydney beaches. Mr Macdonald, quoting a report prepared for the West Australian Government, said it was difficult to spot sharks from aircraft, other than in very favourable conditions. But he would meet with Aerial Patrols and surf lifesaving groups to discuss beach safety in the wake of a fatal shark attack in Queensland at the weekend. "I would have to be convinced that there was merit in such a program but I'm willing to listen."


Resource: News.com.au - January 10, 2006