“Hey Taha, what’s the visibility like?” a man in a towel calls out. “Very good,” responds Surf Life Saving NSW drone operator Taha Kafil-Hussain, who’s conducting an early morning shark surveillance flight. “Good?” the swimmer asks. Kafil-Hussain nods, guiding the individual safely toward Coogee Beach.
During this routine check, Kafil-Hussain explains, the public seeks reassurance: “They just want to know what the weather and water look like… if anything’s scary.” With four years of experience flying drones for SLS NSW and weeks of operation at Coogee Beach—the area reopened for drone surveillance after a deadly shark attack earlier this year—Kafil-Hussain helps mitigate water risks through aerial monitoring.
A $34 million state government initiative launched in July expanded real-time drone monitoring to 38 of Sydney’s ocean beaches, covering dawn-to-dusk surveillance year-round. This includes 70 beaches with round-the-clock coverage and additional seasonal monitoring during peak periods. Surfacing at 6:30 a.m. for setup, Kafil-Hussain coordinates drone flights after checking air traffic to avoid interference with Sydney Airport operations.
Operating a lightweight drone, Kafil-Hussain ascends to 60 meters, systematically scanning coastal waters during 20-minute intervals. His focus: detecting anomalies in movement patterns—whether predators or marine life—to alert swimmers promptly. “I’m looking for anything moving differently than normal: against the current, odd shapes, or anything alive,” he explains.
During one flight, Kafil-Hussain pauses to zoom in on a potential hazard. “Looks like seaweed,” he concludes. While experts like University of Sydney’s Associate Professor Christopher Pepin-Neff endorse drone technology for shark detection, he cautions that limitations exist: “On windy days or for smaller sharks, visibility might be compromised.” He stresses the need for public education to prevent unnecessary fear amid increased shark sightings.
Since July, NSW authorities report over 750 drone-detected shark encounters and 200 intervention efforts. Advanced shark tracking systems now monitor 1,698 white sharks, 938 tiger sharks, and 374 bull sharks—the primary species linked to serious human interactions. Kafil-Hussain, who handles early-morning alerts solo or coordinates with lifeguards, employs drones equipped with speakers to directly warn bathers. These devices have proven effective in rescuing swimmers within 2–3 minutes of spotting a threat.
Independent drone operator Jason Iggleden launched the “Drone Shark App” Instagram account in 2018 to showcase marine life and shark encounters, emphasizing environmental awareness over fear. “It’s about showing the beauty of what’s out there,” he states, noting that his experience enhances detection accuracy. Officials, meanwhile, endorse non-lethal alternatives like SMART drumlines and AI integration to refine shark identification. However, they unanimously dismiss shark nets and culling as ineffective, urging swimmers to “treat the ocean like the bush—respect it.”
The program aims to restore public confidence during peak swimming seasons, though experts stress there’s no single solution to shark safety. Kafil-Hussain highlights Coogee’s unique ecosystem, home to a rare carpet shark that poses minimal human risk. “He’ll pop out eventually,” Kafil-Hussain quips, while ensuring beachgoers remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.