THE use of drones at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island is proving to be a groundbreaking way to monitor shark activity and keep swimmers safe.
Part of the SharkSmart campaign, which has been running for the past four years across Queensland, the program is aimed at reducing the risk of shark attacks and providing valuable data on marine life.
Lifeguards Mitch Yates and Logan Specht operate the drones, conducting daily flights during the holiday periods and on weekends throughout the school term.
The drones fly a set route starting from the front of the surf club, extending along the South Gorge, back along Main Beach, and returning along the shoreline.
Each flight takes about 20 minutes, and multiple sweeps are completed during the morning.
To ensure safety and compliance, the drone flights are carefully programmed with data such as wind conditions, tides, humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and season.
Every shark sighting is reported to the Department of Fisheries, providing a comprehensive picture of shark movements.
Point Lookout is home to a healthy population of marine life, including dolphins, turtles, manta rays, dugongs and whales.
Mr Yates points out that the area’s proximity to the continental shelf and the convergence of two ocean currents contribute to the abundance of marine creatures – and yes, that includes sharks.
“We see about three to four sharks every flight,” he said.
If any sharks appear to be heading towards the beach and there are people in the water, the lifeguard is alerted, and the shark alarm is sounded.
The last reported shark attack at Point Lookout occurred in the 1970s, with another at nearby Amity Point about 15 years ago.
