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Countries around the world frequented by sharks use drones to detect when the creatures lurk too close to public beaches, but Nova Scotia officials say they don’t plan on using the technology any time soon.
While Paul D’Eon, the longtime director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, is aware of lifeguards in Australia and the United States using the technology, his service is not discussing adopting drones.
“We always consider safety methodologies, but have we actively pursued it? Not at this point.”
The Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the province’s public beaches, did not say if it’s considering investing in aerial shark surveillance. Department spokesperson Lynette Macleod confirmed to CBC News that the province does not currently use drones.
The lifeguard service monitors 24 public beaches around the province eight hours a day, seven days a week during the summer months. Great white sharks make their annual migration into Nova Scotia’s warm waters during those months.
D’Eon said drones aren’t necessary because in his 52 years protecting Nova Scotian beaches, there has never been a shark attack. But, he does report a marginal increase in shark sightings.
A couple of decades ago, beach closures prompted by seeing a shark fin only happened every few years. Now, about two beach closures a year is the norm.
The lifeguard service monitors changing factors that affect public safety, D’Eon said, but he does not currently recommend that the province invest in drones.
“If we deem that things change from where they are, we would certainly go back and look at it.”
The Australian state of New South Wales, which contains Sydney, has deployed drones to monitor its beaches since 2015. The state government increased drone patrol funding by $34 million in June 2026 after a spate of shark attacks.
Using the drones, lifeguards spotted sharks 73 times in the first two days of the expanded program, according to data obtained by Agence France-Presse.
Chris Fischer with OCEARCH says the white sharks began arriving in June and July. He says water temperatures down south are getting too warm for the sharks, which is why more are heading north.
Drones now monitor 70 beaches in New South Wales 365 days a year, and authorities are set to integrate artificial intelligence into shark detection.
New York State and the New York City Police Department both employ a shark detection drone fleet, with the state investing an additional $322,000 US in the technology earlier this summer.
Sharks at Nova Scotia beaches
D’Eon said a shark sighting at Martinique Beach earlier this year prompted the current protocol — a two-hour beach closure.
Swimsuit-clad bathers at Martinique Beach told CBC on Monday that having lifeguard-operated drones patrolling above the water would make them feel safer.
“Even if they think it’s not necessary, it only takes one time for that whole opinion to change,” said Declan Byers, who was relaxing in the sand. “Invest in it all now and make people feel safe rather than waiting till something does happen and regretting that you didn’t invest in it then.”
Philip Skinder, the head coach and director of the Vancouver-based Pacific Lifesaving Club, was training with his team at Martinique ahead of the Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championships this weekend.
“I think it’s a phenomenal use of funds, I think it’s efficient and I think it’s effective,” he said. “Anything we can do to save the lives of people in the ocean, helping them enjoy it better, with more peace of mind, I think it’s worthwhile spending.”
Recent shark sightings made Amber Beaver nervous to go in the water this year. The day before she spoke with CBC at Martinique, her father spotted a shark while fishing off the coast.
“I think there’s probably better ways the province can invest the money, but it definitely would make me feel a little bit more secure,” she said.
D’Eon recommends beachgoers stay safe by avoiding swimming at dawn and dusk, or near seals and active fishing.
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