It has been revealed tracking drones were not flying over the popular Sydney beach before yesterday’s shocking attack.

The government will work with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Surf Life Saving NSW to make the exemption permanent.

Urgent negotiations are under way to permanently clear the skies for shark-spotting drones over some of Sydney’s busiest beaches, amid claims Saturday’s attack could have been prevented without regulation getting in the way.

After a shark attack critically injured a woman at Coogee Beach, Australian authorities are reconsidering drone restrictions to improve swimmer safety. While drones are used for shark monitoring, their use at Coogee Beach is limited by airport regulations.

A government-backed shark cull could be introduced in NSW following a horror daytime attack at one of Sydney’s most popular beaches which has left a woman in critical condition.

The shocking shark attack at Coogee Beach has reignited one of Australia’s most contentious debates, with a majority of readers backing a shark cull while others insist the ocean remains the domain of marine predators.