Shark watch over Clarence beaches

WHILE there have been no recent shark sightings near Clarence Valley beaches, beachgoers are being put at ease by regular air patrols.

Gyrocopter pilot Peter Coulter patrols the coastline from Yamba to Byron Bay every weekend in a new step to keep beaches safer.

“I have seen no adverse conditions or problems in my patrols along the coastline,” he said.

“I have seen some pretty spectacular things out there. There are lots of whales and their calves travelling south having a field day with the amount of bait fish that is around.”

Yamba Surf Life Saving Club caretaker Steve Body said the air patrol was a great initiative.

“When we are on patrol it gives a different view to the ocean,” he said.

“The gyrocopters do it well because they can get a bit lower than helicopters and they are much more cost-efficient for this type of work.”