Surfers Become Drone Pilots to Protect Sydney Beaches

When Mercury Psillakis was killed by a great white shark at Long Reef Beach last September, his twin brother Mike made a vow. He believes a drone in the sky that day could have saved Mercury's life.

Now that belief is becoming reality. Surfers across Sydney's coastline are being trained as drone pilots in a groundbreaking community surveillance program that will protect beaches year-round.

By the end of winter, 125 new drone pilots will take to the skies with 60 drones, each carrying a message honoring Mercury. The program fills a critical gap by operating beyond traditional patrol seasons, recognizing that surfing clubs run events throughout the entire year.

Mercury's widow Maria helped launch the initiative alongside Mike. "These drones represent progress," she said at the announcement. "They represent the lives that may be saved, families that may be spared this unimaginable loss."

The training goes beyond basic flight skills. Pilots learn to identify high-risk shark species and follow safety protocols that pause events for at least 30 minutes after sightings, giving dangerous sharks time to move on.

The Ripple Effect

This program transforms how Australia protects its beaches. Unlike shark nets, which failed to prevent Mercury's death, drones allow beaches to reopen quickly once sharks move away instead of closing for entire days.

The initiative expands NSW's $30 million Shark Management Program and partners with Surfing NSW through $650,000 in state funding. It complements existing Surf Life Saving efforts but extends protection far beyond traditional summer patrol seasons.

Training began on Sydney's Northern Beaches this weekend and will roll out to Newcastle and Wollongong beaches soon. Regional courses are already scheduled to bring the program to coastal communities across New South Wales.

Mike Psillakis sees this as just the beginning. He envisions AI-powered drones launching automatically from sunrise to sunset, protecting not just weekend competitors but everyday surfers heading out before work or catching afternoon waves.

Mercury was 57 when he died the day before Father's Day 2025, a renowned surfer beloved in his community. Now his legacy lives in the skies above the beaches he loved, watching over surfers who share his passion for the waves.