The government of the Australian state of New South Wales is deploying drones, sonar and helicopters this summer in a bid to protect beachgoers from sharks.

At an event at Sydney's Coogee Beach on Sunday, Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair formally announced a world-first A$16 million (US$12 million) shark strategy.

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Fears about sharks coming too close to surfers, swimmers and fisherman have risen in recent months after a number of attacks in the state's north. So far in 2015, 13 unprovoked shark attack cases have been recorded in NSW by the Australian Shark Attack File, with one fatality. In 2014, there were only three such incidents.

Blair told reporters Sunday that technology, rather than shark culling, was on the table in the five-year deal. "This is a historic moment," he said. "We are leading the world in New South Wales when it comes to how we interact with sharks and how we've utilised a range of technologies to reduce that risk for our beachgoers."

"That's why we've gone for a look into some of the new technologies and other suites of measures we can implement and that's what this response is about," he went on. "It's been led by our scientists."

The government announced in a statement it will be investing in 10 4G listening stations between Tweed Heads and Forster, with a further 10 to be placed at "known shark attack locations" yet to be announced.

The government will also set aside A$7.7 million (US$5.6 million) to test new technologies and forms of water surveillance. Barrier nets and 'clever buoy' sonar technology are among the options to be tested along the state's coastline.

A$3.5 million (US$2.5 million) will be poured into aerial helicopter surveillance services. The government will also continue its shark tagging project, and tagged sharks will eventually be viewable on the SharkSmart mobile app.

Further funding will be made available for shark-detection and deterrence research, and A$1.3 million (US$900,000) will be used for public shark-smart education programs.

The government has emphasised it is attempting to address local concerns, while respecting the advice of scientists and environmentalists. "The coastline is a big part our DNA," NSW Premier Mike Baird said at his inaugural shark summit in September. "There are a number of incredibly promising and helpful technologies that could make a real difference."