News & Alerts

Update on 11 August at 12:30 pm

The Cowaramup Bay (south) Shark Monitoring Network receiver has washed ashore north of Cowaramup Bay and is out of operation until further notice.

Repairs will be carried out on the receiver to restore it to full operational status as soon as possible. 

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA’s X (formerly Twitter) feed.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. 

Alert issued on 9 August 2024

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued for Gracetown water users, due to the Cowaramup Bay (south) Shark Monitoring Network receiver breaking free from its mooring.

Situation:

• The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) advise that tagged shark detections from the Shark Monitoring Network receiver located at Cowaramup Bay (south) are compromised. 
• The Cowaramup Bay (south) receiver has broken free from its mooring and is approximately 1km north of its usual position. 
• This is one of two receivers located in Cowaramup Bay. The Cowaramup Bay (north) receiver remains operational. 
• Restoration of the service will require a maintenance crew to assess the full extent of the repairs required.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Gracetown area.
• Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the SharkSmart website or Surf Life Saving WA’s X (formerly Twitter) feed.
• 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.