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Beach-user perceptions and attitudes towards drone surveillance as a shark-bite mitigation tool
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Beach-user perceptions and attitudes towards drone surveillance as a shark-bite mitigation tool

Debra Stokes, Kirin Apps, Paul A Butcher, Betty Weiler, Hanabeth Luke and Andrew P Colefax
Marine policy, Vol.120, 104127
2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104127
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Beach-user perceptions and attitudes towards drone surveillance as a shark-bite mitigation toolView
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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#14 Life Below Water
#15 Life on Land

Source: InCites

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict Shark detection Drone UAV Bather protection
Management of human-wildlife conflict is often challenging and complex, particularly when the conflict involves sharks. New technologies are being trialled in New South Wales, on Australia's east coast, to accommodate the community demand for increased beach-user protection that does not harm marine wildlife. Drones (or unmanned aerial vehicles), are one of a suite of potential tools that can address both these demands. We released an online survey to assess beach-user perceptions and attitudes toward drones on NSW beaches as a shark surveillance tool. From 439 respondents, we found the use of drones on coastal beaches was accepted by the majority of people surveyed (88%) due to perceptions of reduced impact on sharks, and the relatively low cost. Drone surveillance was also the preferred approach for bather protection overall. Arguably the most vulnerable beach-user group for a shark bite incident, surfers, claimed the highest level of awareness of the use of drones for shark surveillance, but also indicated lower confidence in their utility compared to other groups. The study demonstrates an overall social licence regarding the use of drones for shark surveillance purposes, with the levels of support likely to increase with further public education efforts and improvements to the efficacy of drone-based surveillance. •An online survey was conducted to assess knowledge of, and support for, drones.•Drones as a shark-bite mitigation tool were strongly supported (>85%).•Drone surveillance was the most popular ‘preferred’ approach for shark mitigation.•Respondents view drones as more cost-effective and less harmful to sharks.•Surfers were less likely to choose a beach where drones were in use.

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