One great white shark is being caught every two days near popular New South Wales beaches as a trial of smart drum lines is being conducted.

Researchers say the technology is making waterways across the east coast safer with most sharks swimming away from the beaches after being caught and tagged.

The great whites are then moving into deeper, off-shore waters for up to four weeks.

The drum lines are being used to lure and capture large sharks using baited hooks and deployed near popular swimming beaches to reduce the chance of shark attacks.

According to News Corp Australia, the NSW Government trial contains 20 smart drum lines, which were placed on the Mid North Coast and North Coast between Forster-Tuncurry to Coffs Harbour-Sawtell about six months ago.

It is reported that about 80 white sharks of up to four metres long were caught in five months.

A total of 64 sharks were tagged at Forster and 16 at Coffs Harbour.

Nine tiger sharks were caught at Coffs Harbour.

Another 20 smart drum lines have been deployed on the South Coast at Kiama-Shell Cove and Ulladulla-Narrawallee.

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