The terrifying moment a pool of whaler sharks took over a popular beach - forcing officials to close off the beach to the public - has been captured on drone footage. The Surf Life Saving drone spotted about 40 sharks on the north coast at Evans Head during a routine aerial surveillance of the popular holiday spot around 11.30am on Wednesday.   (Image: https://freestocks.org/fs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/girl_in_a_library_2-1024x683.jpg)Swimmers and surfers were escorted from the beach when the school of spinner, dusky and bull sharks were spotted.   

           (Image: [[|]])   A Surf Life saving drone has spotted a school of whaler sharks on the NSW north coast (pictured)
    (Image: [[|]])   When the school of sharks were spotted (pictured) officials were forced to close off the beach to the public
    (Image: [[|]])   The drone footage spotted a school of 40 sharks at Evans Head on NSW's North Coast (pictured)

Northern NSW Lifeguard Coordinator Scott McCartney said around 100 swimmers and surfers were evacuated from Evans Head Main Beach.   The drone patrols around 34 beaches over the busy summer period. We've been able to alert lifesaving patrols or people in the water directly, to the presence of sharks nearby on numerous occasions,' SLSNSW Operations Manager, ukraine Public Safety Brent Manieri told 9News.  'Feedback from the public is that they appreciate the surveillance we are conducting using UAVs at many locations along the coast. Mr Manieri said the drone program has been a success in improving the safety of beachgoers.  'Many people feel that their safety is improved if they know the drones are up in the air and keeping watch', he said. 

    (Image: [[|]])   Over 100 swimmers and surfers were evacuated off Evans Head when the 40 whaler sharks were spotted via drone footage (pictured: sharks at Evans Head)