Byron Bay’s iconic Wategos Beach is the first in the state to receive what could be a life-saving medical kit containing key items needed in first aid situations following a shark attack.

Some 45 potential new shark spotters met on the weekend, with a view to starting a regular patrol on the Ballina to Lennox Head coastline.

Only a handful of beaches in Ballina and Byron shires were deemed suitable for a ‘shark spotters’ program by visiting South African experts. But a majority of Ballina Shire councillors recently voted to not even receive a report from the experts, who toured the region visiting beaches.

Besides the NSW government’s $16 million program – barriers, a phone app and tagging – another option to address shark attacks has been aired at Ballina recently.

Two South African shark experts will visit Ballina on Thursday to assess whether local beaches are suitable for the Shark Spotters project.

Shark mitigation experts from South Africa will be visiting Ballina next month to determine whether the ‘Shark Spotters’ program would work in the area.