Premier Mike Baird is visiting Ballina today to discuss further ways to prevent shark attacks along the north coast.
The premier and NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair will inspect a smart drum line and listening stations in place off Lighthouse Beach, Sharpes Beach and Clarkes Beach.
The listening stations go live today, and will send a report whenever a tagged shark is in the area.
It’s understood the DPI has tagged almost twenty sharks in recent times, although it’s estimated the east coast population of great whites is around 1200.
Ballina mayor David Wright said he would be meeting with Mr Baird and Mr Blair, along with police, lifeguards, and Le-Ba Boardriders president Don Munro.
Mr Munro recently challenged the premier to go surfing at Lennox Point, although Cr Wright said he was unaware if the premier would be taking up the challenge.
Premier Baird has given the green light to a 650 metre Eco Shark Barrier to be installed across the length of Lighthouse Beach, the site of two maulings since July.
A second 150m barrier, to protect swimmers, will be erected off Lennox Head. Both will be in place by mid-January.
Cr Wright said given the barriers would not be in place until next year, he would be asking the premier for increased helicopter surveillance during the holiday period.
Having regularly flown at 300ft between Yamba and Byron and spotting sharks whales dolphins and bait fish balls. It is beyond comprehension that the use of these very cost effective Gyro Planes continues to be ignored. They are easy and safe to fly! Surf Clubs could easily afford to own and operated their own Gyro planes, allowing them to have autonomous Aerial Surveillance support.
And report not only sharks being spotted but also general water visibility conditions to keep the public informed and alerted as to conditions and likely hood of sharks being around and or visible !!