News & Alerts

Alert issued on 19 January 2024

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued for Rottnest Island water users, due to a partial outage in the Shark Monitoring Network at Strickland Bay.

Situation:

• The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) advise that tagged shark detections from the Shark Monitoring Network receiver located at Strickland Bay are currently intermittently offline. 
• This is one of two receivers located off Rottnest Island. The Bickley Point receiver remains operational. 
• DPIRD staff are investigating the fault. 

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Strickland Bay area.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers or Surf Life Saving WA.
• Use your Sea Sense and stay informed by checking for shark activity on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app or Surf Life Saving WA’s Twitter feed.
• If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed. 

What authorities are doing: 

The relevant authorities that receive shark notifications to assist them in responses have been notified of the outage; including Surf Life Saving WA, WA Police and relevant local government rangers.

DPIRD will be working to restore the system to full operational status as soon as possible. 

Extra information: 

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – twitter.com/SLSWA. Check www.sharksmart.com.au/news for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.

The Shark Monitoring Network forms part of a range of shark mitigation strategies in place.  See www.sharksmart.com.au for additional information.