Mrudul's mobile app is helping prevent shark attacks in Australia

Mrudul Vasvada.jpg

Source: Supplied / Mrudul Vasvada

Every year, shark attacks occur in Australian waters. However, a free shark warning app, 'SharkSmart,' designed by Indian migrant Mrudul Vasvada, is now helping to keep people safe from such attacks. Listen to this podcast featuring Vasvada for insights on the app.


Key Points
  • There were almost 500 shark attacks  in Australian  waters between 2000 and 2022, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
  • SharkSmart app is designed for the New South Wales government.
  • New South Wales has tagged around 3,000 sharks so far. And while Australian waters are home to around 180 shark species.
Vasvada explained that developing the SharkSmart app for the New South Wales government aimed to help people avoid encounters with sharks.
Mrudul Vasavada shows his SharkSmart app (Spencer Austad, SBS).jpg
Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
The app tracks tagged sharks using drone surveillance and shark listening stations along the coast and when a tagged shark approaches within 500 meters, a signal is sent to the platform.

"We've got 300,000 users of apps at the moment, and we've sent close to 2.5 billion push notifications to users." said Vasavada

After migrating from India as a student in 1999, he developed several apps to enhance people's marine experiences, including a fishing and whale-watching app.

Currently, he serves clients worldwide and runs 40 programs, including a whale-watching app.

"We have around 10,000 users reporting their whale sightings from their tours. The app shows the exact location where the whale was last spotted, which enhances your whale-watching experience," he said.
Mrudul_shark smart.jpg
Source: Supplied / Mrudul Vasavada
Find our podcasts here at You can also tune in to at 5 pm on on digital radio, on channel 305 on your television, via the or stream from
LISTEN TO
Hindi_140125_sonaliswim image

'Water safety is more than just swimming between flags': Inspector Sonali Deshpande

SBS Hindi

17/01/202524:14
LISTEN TO
Hindi_swimsafety_251024 image

Harpreet leads swimming classes to help multicultural communities overcome water phobia

SBS Hindi

28/10/202409:36

Share