# NSW Expands Drone Patrols for Shark Detection > Source: > Published: 2026-06-28 05:18:50+00:00 Editorial analysis: Field deployments of AI-capable drones are an important test for real-time computer-vision pipelines, edge compute, and labelled marine datasets that practitioners will need to operationalise at scale. SMH reports the NSW government will invest an extra A$34 million in shark-surveillance measures, bringing total shark-protection spending to A$120 million over two years (SMH). SBS reports the expansion will place drone patrols at **72 beaches** with year-round coverage, and SMH and WAToday describe the coverage as about **70 beaches** with drones operating dawn-to-dusk in winter and extended hours in summer. SMH reports two AI detection systems will be trialled over summer, and SMH describes a long-term aim for autonomous drones to operate daily on NSW beaches. SBS quotes Premier Chris Minns: "No one can promise a shark mitigation program that can guarantee that there will be zero encounters with sharks."