Fisheries advise caution for water users around Ellen Cove Albany

12 April 2014

After nine detections of a tagged white shark early today, the Department of Fisheries is advising water users at Middleton beach to exercise additional caution. Middleton beach has been closed by the City of Albany.

The detections occurred over the period from 3.55am to 7.22am. The shark was detected by a receiver that forms part of the State Government’s Shark Monitoring Network.

Each of the detections has been posted on the Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) Twitter feed at twitter.com/SLSWA. The twitter feed is the best way to keep up to date with sightings from the Surf Life Saving WA, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, any detections of tagged sharks by the State Government’s Shark Monitoring Network and any sightings reported by members of the community to Water Police.

This information is also available on the SLSWA website at www.surflifesavingwa.com.au and via a link on the Department of Fisheries’ website shark pages at www.fish.wa.gov.au/shark.

The detections have been communicated to beach safety authorities and a posting to the SLSWA Twitter feed.

Advice is that water users should:

Adhere to any beach closures advised by your Local Government Rangers or Surf Life Saving WA;
Exercise caution when entering the water at South Coast beaches and we encourage them to use patrolled beaches at all times;
Any shark sightings should be reported immediately to Water Police on 9442 8600;
This information is also provided to response agencies and to the public on the SLSWA Twitter site, or on the SLSWA website at www.surflifesavingwa.com.au;
Water users should take responsibility for staying informed of the latest shark sightings by checking twitter - twitter.com/slswa.

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