150 more Shark Bite Kits will be placed at isolated NSW beaches in a lifesaving effort

The NSW government announced the funding as part of a shark mitigation program.

Ellie Chamberlain
December 09, 2025

A week after a shark attack at Crowdy Bay killed a 25-year-old woman and hospitalised a 26-year-old man, the NSW Government has announced it will provide funding for 150 Community Shark Bite Kits - a first aid response initiative that started on the Mid North Coast.

The kits will be placed at isolated and unpatrolled beaches “outside of metropolitan areas,” however the exact locations are yet to be confirmed.

How it started: The community-funded Shark Bite Kits initiative was started by Danny Schouten from Bonny Hills.

After his friend Kai lost his leg in a 2024 shark attack, Schouten fundraised for the project realising many beaches did not have appropriate equipment on-hand should a shark attack occur. The idea resulted in the installation of lifesaving kits on beaches and popular surf breaks across the coast.

What’s inside: The kits contain the essentials to control bleeding and are designed to be used by the general public. Inside is a tourniquet, compression bandages, dressings, a thermal blanket, whistle, gloves and first aid instructions for a serious bite injury.

“Survival shouldn’t be left up to chance or luck, we know people can be saved if a tourniquet is applied quickly,” Schouten said. “I’m stoked that the NSW Government is helping give us ocean loving Australians the resources we need to hopefully save someone’s life in the future.”

Current Shark Bite Kit locations can be found on this map.

Better prepared: Schouten said Aussies aren’t going to stop doing what they love.

“Surfing and swimming is engrained in Australian culture, we just need to be better prepared for when these accidents happen. The Community Shark Bite Kits are important to ensure our mates, families and neighbours have quick access to the right first aid equipment that could be the difference in saving a life.”

Shark Bite Kits are popping up along our coast: what's inside to save a life?

After almost losing a close mate to a shark attack, local surfer Danny Shouten had a mission to bring life-saving Shark Bite Kits to remote beaches and popular surf breaks on the Mid North Coast. In less than six months, demand has expanded with kits being installed up and down the east coast and across the country.

State-wide shark mitigation: The funding for the SBKs is part of a $2.5 million NSW Government shark mitigation program, including additional shark surveillance drones and extended drone patrol periods.

Thirty-two beaches will start drone patrols one week earlier than planned, beginning next weekend (December 13).
Another 18 beaches will start drone surveillance by December 20.

Surf Live Saving NSW patrols will operate drones daily over the Christmas holiday period to the end of January. The additional funding means patrol will continue on weekends through to March 29, 2026.

Community awareness: The new funding will also go towards a SharkSmart education program across social media and at coastal communities this summer to promote shark safety tips.

Thumbnail: Shark Bite Kit located at Crescent Head’s popular point break (L) and current locations of SBKs, Google maps.