New technology and safer conditions for Queensland swimmers and whales

• Crisafulli Government delivers record investment for new technology to prevent whales becoming entangled in shark control nets.   
• The five-week field trial at Noosa Main Beach on the Sunshine Coast will test the effectiveness of acoustic alarms on whale behaviour. 
• Part of Crisafulli Government’s historic investment into shark control, prioritising scientific research and equipment scientifically proven to reduce the risk of shark attacks on Queensland beaches.
• The Crisafulli Government is boosting safety at Queensland beaches after Labor failed to during their decade of decline.  

The Crisafulli Government is boosting safety for Queensland beachgoers and marine life by trialling innovative acoustic technology designed to help humpback whales avoid shark control nets.  

The trial is part of the largest investment into Queensland’s Shark Control Program in the State’s history, which prioritised beachgoers' safety and funded a record spend on research into shark populations and ways to mitigate impacts of the program on migrating whales. 

A five-week trial is underway at Noosa Main Beach and is part of the Crisafulli Government's commitment under the Shark Management Plan 2025-2029 to investigate innovative technologies like drone surveillance and whale-deterrent measures. 

During Labor’s decade of decline, the program drifted away from its original purpose of protecting beachgoers and failed to invest in the evidence base required to drive the future of the program. 

Until 11 October 2026, novel acoustic alarms will be set up on two Queensland Shark Control Program nets to improve our understanding of how humpback whales respond to sound in coastal environments and assess the effectiveness of new technology in the ocean. 

The trial is being conducted in partnership with the University of Queensland and will include independent land-based observations from the Noosa headland to record whale behaviour in the area. 

The Shark Control Program also funds the Marine Animal Rescue Team, a specialist team of 25 officers based on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Redlands and Mackay who respond quickly in the unlikely event whales become entangled in shark control gear. 

The most recent information estimates 50,000 whales will migrate through Queensland's waters this year with only 0.02 per cent on average interacting with Program equipment in previous years. 

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the trial reflected the Crisafulli Government's commitment to delivering better services through a stronger economy, swimmer safety and science-based innovation to drive decision making.  

“Queensland’s Shark Control Program plays an important role in protecting beachgoers, and we are always looking at ways we can improve the program with contemporary technology and science,” Minister Perrett said.  

“This trial is about using science and innovation to explore new ways of reducing interactions between humpback whales and shark control equipment, while maintaining important public safety measures.  

“Queensland is home to an incredible marine environment, and this research will help us better understand whether this new acoustic technology can support improved outcomes for both marine wildlife and beachgoers.” 

Sea World Foundation Head of Marine Sciences Wayne Phillips said while the research was still in its early stages, it’s great to see the project helping to stimulate further scientific investment and inform practical management actions.  

“We hope this evidence-based work will contribute to developing future solutions that reduce the impacts of human activities on marine life,” Mr Phillips said. 

Future Oceans CEO James Turner said the Crisafulli Government’s continued investment in research and new technology was important to ensuring the Shark Control Program can continue to evolve while reducing its environmental impact.  

 “Delivering this very specific acoustic output from a durable, battery-powered device required considerable engineering. We are proud to put that technology into the water and have its effectiveness independently assessed through this Queensland trial,” Mr Turner said. 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Bond, 0417 199 369