A three-and-a-half-metre tiger shark caught off Sydney was just one of more than 40 sharks by a new protestion system that aims to extend the study of the apex ocean predators dozens of sharks rather than add to their slaughter.

The huge shark was intercepted in the Palm Beach-Newport area during the recently completed 90-day trial, while a two-and-a-half-metre tiger shark was caught around Dee Why-Manly.

Fourteen sharks were caught in trials of the SMART drumlines off Sydney beaches while elsewhere more than 40 sharks were snagged on the NSW south and north coasts and at Newcastle, according to data released by Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall on Sunday.

Species caught included great white sharks, bronze whalers, grey nurse and bull sharks, among others.

The satellite-linked drumlines were set near existing shark nets and alerted boat crews, who tagged and released sharks when caught.

Mr Marshall said the drumlines were a success and helped to reduce shark incidents at beaches.

“The beauty of this technology is that it not only prevents shark encounters but also allows scientists to monitor the tagged sharks and learn more about their behaviour,” Mr Marshall said in a statement.

The Department of Primary Industries will analyse the results before deciding on further steps, the statement said.

-with AAP