Sydney: Australia is reviewing its restrictions on drone use. Authorities in Australia's New South Wales have announced they are reviewing drone restrictions following a serious shark attack on a human off a Sydney beach on Saturday, the latest in a series of shark attacks along Australia's coast.
According to Thai News Agency, Australian beach rescue teams often used drones to monitor for sharks. However, because Coogee Beach, east of Sydney, is located beneath the flight path of Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, there are legal restrictions on commercial drone operations. Nevertheless, following a shark attack on a 35-year-old woman approximately 30 meters from the shore of Coogee Beach yesterday morning, local authorities temporarily closed Coogee Beach and nearby beaches and invoked emergency ordinance powers to immediately authorize drone flights to scan the area for sharks.
A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Safety Agency stated that the regulator is considering modifying and relaxing current drone flight regulations to allow rescue teams to use this technology for more permanent and effective shark monitoring.
For the 35-year-old woman who was attacked by a shark, her condition remains critical but stable. Due to large wounds on her arms and legs resulting in significant tissue loss, she will require multiple surgeries.
Data from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare indicates that most shark attacks occur along the east and southeast coasts of Australia, with an average of about 20 such incidents per year.