What’s Happening?
Yeppoon, Kemp Beach, Cooee Bay and Lammermoor are among the beaches regularly used by local beachgoers. All are covered by shark drumlines, but none has dedicated drone surveillance, live alerts or a public reporting channel.
Founded in 2015 by former professional surfer Sarah Beardmore, Dorsal is a free shark reporting and alert app. It allows anyone to report a shark sighting from any beach, with photos or videos included where available. Authorities can also use the service to send immediate warnings to other beachgoers.
Why It Matters
The local information gap carries added weight because fatal shark attacks have occurred near Yeppoon and the Keppel Islands. Dorsal also began following a string of fatal shark attacks across Australia in 2015.
Members of the public had seen sharks of the same species and size nearby only hours before those incidents. However, there was no way to warn the wider community.
The service was created so everyday citizens could share sightings and stay informed about shark activity nearby. Its mission is to reduce risk while supporting coexistence between people and sharks.
Local Impact
For people using these four beaches, Dorsal provides a public reporting option that is not otherwise available locally. Users can check verified shark activity nearby or report a sighting directly from the beach.
The platform distributes official and public reports through the same network. This gives local users one place to access verified shark information.
By the Numbers
- Dorsal has grown to 750,000 users since the free service was launched.
- More than 200 media outlets contribute information alongside official channels, public sightings and Dorsal aerial surveillance partners.
- Last summer, Dorsal was Australia’s second most downloaded free sports app, behind only the Australian Open.
Zoom In
Every report received by Dorsal is independently verified before publication. Verified sightings are then posted simultaneously across its Android and iPhone apps, website and social media pages.
The system includes a front-end website, desktop content management system, web scanning and alert modules. Its public tools include the Dorsal and Dorsal GPS apps for iPhone and Android, plus social media feeds.
Zoom Out
The platform is available in Australia, mainland United States, Hawaii and Reunion Island. Dorsal describes it as the world’s most advanced shark reporting and alert solution.
Its purpose is to help people make informed beach decisions while supporting coexistence between people and sharks.
What To Look For Next?
Beardmore is rolling out a smartwatch alert designed to reach swimmers and surfers while they remain in the water. Dorsal is also opening sighting reports to recreational drone operators, adding another source of aerial information.
Both developments are firsts for this type of shark reporting service. As they become available, local users could receive faster information about shark activity in nearby waters.
