beach - 2026-05-07

Sixty New Shark Surveillance Drones to Fly in Honour of Northern Beaches Surfer Mercury Psillakis

NSW Government's $650,000 investment in Surfing NSW drone program will bear Mercury's name on every aircraft, beginning with the Northern Beaches

A new chapter in ocean safety has opened on the Northern Beaches, with the NSW Government announcing the rollout of 60 shark surveillance drones to boardrider clubs across the state — each one bearing the name of Mercury 'Merc' Psillakis, the Long Reef Boardriders member whose death following a shark attack at Dee Why Beach in September 2025 shook the local surfing community to its core.

A new chapter in ocean safety has opened on the Northern Beaches, with the NSW Government announcing the rollout of 60 shark surveillance drones to boardrider clubs across the state — each one bearing the name of Mercury 'Merc' Psillakis, the Long Reef Boardriders member whose death following a shark attack at Dee Why Beach in September 2025 shook the local surfing community to its core. The announcement, made at Mona Vale on 3 May 2026, forms part of a $650,000 investment delivered through Surfing NSW under the Minns Government's record $30 million Shark Management Program. The funding will equip 60 currently unequipped boardrider clubs with drones and provide comprehensive training for 125 volunteer pilots before the end of winter — a timeline that ensures coverage is in place ahead of the next White Shark season. The Northern Beaches will be the first region to receive the new aircraft, with the rollout then extending to Sydney's southern beaches before two regional training courses — one north, one south — complete delivery to all remaining clubs, including those in Newcastle and Wollongong. Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said beach safety remained a top priority for...