SMART DRUMLINES – Northern Beaches Council

SMART drumlines are being deployed daily by the DPI at beaches in Northern Beaches Council. Here is some key information about the SMART Drumlines.

How do SMART Drumlines work?

• SMART (Shark Management Alert In Real-Time) drumlines consist of an anchor, two buoys and a satellite-linked GPS communication unit attached to a hook baited with one sea mullet.
• A trigger magnet that is connected to the communications unit release an alert when an animal has taken the bait.
• When an alert has been raised a DPI  team responds within 30 minutes to tag and release the target shark or other marine animal.
• Target sharks are released 1km offshore.

How do Smart Drumlines make beaches safer?

• Intercepting and catching sharks as they move along the coastlines and head towards beaches reduces the chances of an interaction with water users.
• The relocation of captured sharks and the natural reaction of sharks to move offshore makes the DPI confident that SMART Drumlines are effective in removing the immediate risk to beach users.

What is a target shark?

• White shark
• Bull shark
• Tiger shark

If you want to find out more information about SMART Drumlines, please click this link: SMART Drumlines