Helicopter and drone testing has begun at Lighthouse Beach by NSW DPI

Shark management strategy trials begin

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NEW South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has begun drone (UAV) and helicopter trials along Lighthouse Beach, as part of the NSW Shark Management Strategy.

The trials will see three days of the drone and helicopter flying over each hour (from Monday, May 16 to Wednesday, May 18) depending on weather conditions.

The project aims to quantify any difference in what can be seen (wildlife in the water) from an observer in a helicopter and that of a drone operator.

NSW DPI also have a spotter, equip with binoculars, on land to locate any wildlife in the water, compared against other methods.

The fly over takes 14 minutes to do a 3.8 km circuit.

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