community - 2026-05-06

Expanded Shark Drone Program Takes Flight Over Northern Beaches in Memory of Mercury Psillakis

$1.5 million state government initiative will see advanced surveillance drones deployed across 15 local beaches, driven by the advocacy of a grieving family

The skies above the Northern Beaches are set to become a critical new line of defence for oceangoers, following the announcement of a major expansion to the state's shark surveillance drone program. The $1.5 million initiative, unveiled by the NSW Government, will see advanced drones deployed across 15 local beaches, marking a significant escalation in coastal safety measures.

The skies above the Northern Beaches are set to become a critical new line of defence for oceangoers, following the announcement of a major expansion to the state's shark surveillance drone program. The $1.5 million initiative, unveiled by the NSW Government, will see advanced drones deployed across 15 local beaches, marking a significant escalation in coastal safety measures. The expansion is deeply personal for the local community. It has been driven by the tireless advocacy of the Psillakis family, whose son, Mercury, tragically lost his life to a shark encounter while surfing off the Northern Beaches last year. Their campaign for improved surveillance and early warning systems has now culminated in a program that aims to prevent other families from enduring a similar loss. "Mercury loved the ocean; it was his second home," his parents shared at the launch event at Mona Vale Beach. "While nothing can bring him back, knowing that these drones will be up there, keeping watch over other surfers and swimmers, brings us a measure of peace. This is his legacy." Eyes in the Sky The new fleet of drones represents a significant technological leap from previous surveillance methods....