Permanent shark-spotting drones are now patrolling Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island, as part of a major expansion of Queensland’s SharkSmart drone surveillance program this summer.
Cylinder Beach is one of six new locations added to the program, which has completed more than 545 drone flights across newly monitored beaches in recent months.
In the four months since the expansion began, 149 sharks have been detected at new program locations, providing real-time alerts to Surf Life Savers about potential risks to swimmers.
Statewide, SharkSmart drones spotted more than 862 sharks at 16 monitored beaches in 2025, including 124 sharks measuring more than two metres in length.
The State Government says the expanded and now permanent drone fleet represents the largest investment in Queensland’s Shark Management Plan, with drones stationed at key beaches to detect sharks and collect data on their movements and behaviour.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the program had been extended to some of Queensland’s most popular and heavily used beaches.
“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 said.
“We boosted the investment into the Shark Control Program by 151 per cent, resulting in more than $88 million of additional funding over the life of the plan to return it to its primary purpose; to protect swimmers at select beaches from shark attacks.
“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.
“The Crisafulli Government made a commitment to double its drone program to 20 beaches for the 2026–27 season and we are well on track to delivering – if not exceeding – that commitment to Queenslanders’ safety.
“We’re particularly proud to be expanding the drone surveillance program across our iconic beaches on the southern Gold Coast, where we’ve been able to obtain all the relevant permits to allow drone flights in restricted air space.”
Cylinder Beach joins Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast, Kings Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Kelly’s Beach in Bundaberg, Agnes Water Main Beach and Tangalooma on Moreton Island, where drones operate during summer and Easter school holidays.
The expansion follows a successful trial by Surf Life Saving Queensland, which conducted 17,954 drone flights between September 2020 and April 2024 across 10 locations.
The Government has criticised the former Labor Government for failing to adequately fund shark management measures, saying swimmer safety and Queensland’s international tourism reputation were put at risk.
More information about the SharkSmart drone program is available on the Queensland Government website.
