Countries that frequently encounter sharks have adopted drone technology for monitoring near public beaches. However, officials in Nova Scotia have stated they currently have no plans to implement such measures. Paul D’Eon, director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, noted that while other regions, including Australia and the United States, utilize drones, his service has not pursued this option as there have been no shark attacks during his 52 years of experience, despite a slight uptick in shark sightings. The province’s Department of Natural Resources confirmed that drones are not presently in use for aerial shark surveillance. Although lifeguards monitor 24 beaches daily during the summer, there is growing public interest in the potential safety benefits of drone monitoring, especially following recent shark sightings that led to beach closures.
Why It Matters
The decision not to adopt drone technology for shark monitoring in Nova Scotia comes amid an increase in shark sightings, particularly during their annual migration to the region’s warmer waters. Historically, shark sightings were infrequent, with only occasional beach closures, but the frequency has risen to about two closures annually. In contrast, regions like New South Wales have effectively integrated drones into their beach safety protocols, leading to significant increases in shark detections. As public safety concerns grow, particularly among beachgoers, the effectiveness of drone surveillance in similar environments could prompt reconsideration of current practices in Nova Scotia.
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