News & Alerts

Update on 12 June at 5:00pm

Fisheries Officers have recovered the victim’s snorkelling fins and will be transferring them to Perth for scientific analysis. 

The existing closure has been re-opened, however an additional closure 1km North and South of the Coral Bay jetty has been put in place following the sighting of a shark in the area. 

The closure remain until 1:00pm Sunday 13th June.

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 Twitter.

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

Update on 12 June at 9:00am

Fisheries Officers and DBCA Officers will continue to patrol the area throughout the day. 

The area closure will remain in place until 5pm this afternoon.

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 Twitter.

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

Update on 11 June at 3:55pm

A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Regulation 44 closure notice has been issued for the Five Finger Reef area between Turtle Cliffs and the Coral Bay Boat Ramp. This means beaches and waters up to one kilometre out to sea cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The closure will remain in place until 5pm, Saturday 12 June 2021.

Fisheries officers from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have installed beach closure signs in the area and have conducted land based patrols.

Parks and Wildlife Service officers from DBCA have conducted sea based patrols in the area to inform water users of the shark bite incident. 

Land and sea based patrols will continue on Saturday 12 June. 

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 Twitter.

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

Alert issued on 11 June

Alert level:

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are currently involved in responding to a shark incident at Five Finger Reef, south of Coral Bay in the Shire of Carnarvon.

Situation:

• A male snorkeler received injuries to his foot, after being bitten by a reported 2m bronze whaler shark.
• The incident occurred approximately 75m offshore at Five Finger Reef, south of Coral Bay. 
• The incident was reported at 11:14am on Friday 11 June 2021.
• The male is receiving treatment for his injuries at the Coral Bay Nursing Post. 

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Coral 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: 

DPIRD is working with local authorities to coordinate responses.

DPIRD (Fisheries) officers and Parks and Wildlife Service officers, from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions are travelling to the site. The beach will be closed at Five Finger Reef for 24 hours.

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.