Various countries worldwide where sharks are common are utilizing drones to identify when the creatures come too close to public beaches. However, officials in Nova Scotia have indicated they have no immediate plans to implement this technology.
Paul D’Eon, the longstanding director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, acknowledged that lifeguards in Australia and the United States are utilizing drones but mentioned that his service has not yet discussed the adoption of drones.
“While we always consider safety measures, we have not actively pursued this technology at this time,” stated D’Eon.
The Department of Natural Resources, responsible for the province’s public beaches, did not confirm any intentions to invest in aerial shark surveillance. Department spokesperson Lynette Macleod verified to CBC News that drones are not currently in use in the province.
During the summer months, the lifeguard service monitors 24 public beaches across the province for eight hours a day, seven days a week. Great white sharks migrate into Nova Scotia’s warmer waters annually during this period.
D’Eon noted that drones are deemed unnecessary as there has never been a shark attack in his 52 years of safeguarding Nova Scotian beaches. However, he indicated a slight rise in shark sightings.
A few decades ago, beach closures stemming from shark fin sightings occurred sporadically. Presently, there are approximately two beach closures annually.
D’Eon mentioned that the lifeguard service monitors evolving factors that influence public safety but currently does not advocate for the province to invest in drones.
“If circumstances change, we will reassess the situation,” he added.
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New South Wales in Australia, home to Sydney, has been using drones to monitor its beaches since 2015. The state government boosted drone patrol funding by $34 million in June 2026 following a series of shark attacks.
Under the expanded program, lifeguards spotted sharks 73 times within the initial two days using drones, as per data sourced from Agence France-Presse.
