News & Alerts

• Liberal National Government has invested more than $33 million on shark hazard mitigation

Beachgoers in Perth's northern suburbs now have access to a protected swimming area after Premier Colin Barnett today officially opened the new Sorrento Beach enclosure.

"Beach enclosures are an important component of the Liberal National Government's shark hazard mitigation strategy and are proving to be incredibly popular with swimmers and families," Mr Barnett said.

"The Government has invested more than $33 million on shark hazard mitigation measures including research, public education, shark tagging, aerial patrols and a trial of drones.

"No single measure alone will protect water users from shark interactions, but a complementary suite of measures will reduce the risk."

• $33 million invested in shark hazard mitigation strategy since 2008

The latest addition to the Liberal National Government’s $33 million shark hazard mitigation strategy is expected to be operational at City Beach from next week.

Fisheries Minister Joe Francis said it was hoped the three-month, $500,000 trial of the Clever Buoy shark detection and notification system would be up and running within days provided weather and water conditions were suitable.

• ​Liberal National Government approves funding for trial of Clever Buoy technology
• Trial is part of Government's $33 million WA Shark Hazard Mitigation Strategy

• $88,000 Liberal National Government investment in SLSWA trial of drone surveillance technology
• Trial to be conducted at metropolitan and regional locations this summer

• New campaign launched encouraging visits to SharkSmart before entering ocean
• All shark sightings should be reported to Water Police

• $1.54 million to continue world-class shark hazard mitigation program
• $400,000 for more beach enclosures

• ​Research data released from nearly 180,000 detections of tagged sharks
• Tagged sharks monitored by satellite-linked and data-recording receivers
• Information helps to build picture of shark movements in WA 

• Sorrento Beach in the north and Middleton Beach in Albany to get funding for new swimming enclosures
• In addition to enclosures already funded for Dunsborough and Busselton
• Brings the total number of State Government-funded enclosures in WA to four

• ​Three State Government-funded research projects on shark detection and deterrents recently completed
• Existing and novel shark deterrents tested on a range of species in the wild
• Development of advanced visual shark detection system

Following a significant reduction in the rate of detections of the high hazard shark within Warnbro Sound, Department of Fisheries Acting Director General, Dr Rick Fletcher has rescinded the catch order.