News & Alerts

• McGowan Government funds $3.4m for beach patrols this season
• Aerial patrols form part of WA’s comprehensive shark mitigation strategy
• Formal community consultation on SMART drumline trial set to start 
• McGowan Government to extend shark monitoring network in the South-West 

• Beach Emergency Numbers will help save vital time in critical incidents
• More than 1,000 BEN signs are planned for WA's coast from Geraldton to Esperance
• McGowan Government delivers on election promise to support local governments to improve beach safety 

• McGowan Government will conduct a non-lethal SMART drumline trial in WA's south-west
• The trial will be subject to independent scientific assessment to determine its effectiveness 
• An independent review to be conducted by Chief Scientist Peter Klinken 

• Subsidy on Ocean Guardian Surf+ personal shark deterrent now available in stores
• University research shows the device, even in extreme circumstances, significantly reduces the risk of shark interactions
• An additional $200,000 added to subsidy program for a further 1,000 devices

• Ocean Guardian Surf+ personal shark deterrent added to subsidy program after independent testing
• University research shows the device, even in extreme circumstances, significantly reduces the risk of shark interactions
• An additional $200,000 added to subsidy program for a further 1,000 devices

• University research shows the Ocean Guardian Surf+, even in extreme circumstances, significantly reduces the risk of shark interactions by at least 60 per cent
• McGowan Government calls on NSW Government to release the final university report into shark deterrent effectiveness
• Subject to the final report, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has recommended the Surf+ device be added to the personal shark deterrent subsidy program 

• McGowan Government provides SLSWA about $350,000 to extend daily aerial service to 27 May, 2018
• Commonly patrols finish at the end of April, after the school holidays
• A bumper salmon run and the biggest mass whale stranding in 10 years is believed to be contributing to higher sightings of large marine animals, including white sharks

• Keep the sand between your toes this Easter and fish from the beach
• Safety should be foremost in mind at all times, no matter where you fish
• Do not take risks rock fishing, especially if you are inexperienced or cannot swim 

Western Australia’s autumn salmon run is almost here and water users are urged to take care.

Schools of salmon are commonly spotted, between early-mid March and late April, along the sheltered bays and rocky headlands of the South and West coasts. While the annual event is keenly anticipated by recreational fishers who love the thrill of capturing the aerobatic, fast swimming, WA salmon, the schools of fish can also attract larger predators.

• Long-lasting internal tags have been inserted into 16 white sharks off Esperance
• The tags can be detected on WA's 27 satellite-linked shark monitoring receivers 
• More than 860 sharks including 258 white sharks have now been tagged