News & Alerts

Update on 12th October 2020 at 12:15pm

Beaches have now been reopened by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

DPIRD fisheries officers continue to conduct both land and sea based patrols from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand.

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 11th October 2020 at 2:45pm

The WA Police marine search and rescue operation at Kelp Beds Beach has now concluded. 

State Emergency Service volunteers are continuing to conduct land based searches.  

DPIRD fisheries officers will continue to conduct patrols from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand.

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

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 11th October 2020 at 9:43am

The WA Police marine search and rescue operation recommenced this morning at 07:00hrs.

The operation includes vessels from Volunteer Marine Rescue, Department of Transport, Southern Port Authority and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 

Two Surf Life Saving WA jet skis are providing support to police divers. 

State Emergency Service volunteers continue to provide land based support to the search and rescue operation.   

DPIRD fisheries officers will continue to conduct patrols from Wylie Bay to Cape Le Grand throughout the day.

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

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 10th October 2020 at 5:00pm

WA Police will recommence the marine search and rescue operation in the Kelp Beds Beach area on Sunday 11th  October 2020 at 07:00hrs.

Operations have been suspended today due to poor weather conditions.

DPIRD fisheries officers will continue to conduct patrols from Wylie Bay to Cape Le Grand throughout the weekend. 

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

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 10th October 2020 at 2:30pm

WA Police have suspended the marine search and rescue operation due to poor weather. 

DPIRD fisheries officers will continue to conduct land based patrols from Wylie Bay to Cape Le Grand. 

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

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 10th October 2020 at 9:59am

WA Police have re-commenced a marine search and rescue operation in the Kelp Beds Beach area.

The operation includes vessels from the Volunteer Marine Rescue, Department of Transport, Esperance Port Authority and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

State Emergency Service volunteers are providing land based support to the search and rescue operation.      

A DPIRD fisheries vehicle is patrolling the area and a drone is conducting aerial surveillance to support the search and rescue effort. 

Police divers and a DPIRD fisheries remote underwater vehicle operator (ROV) team have joined the search and rescue operation.  

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

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 9th October 2020 at 5:20pm

WA Police are continuing to coordinate a marine search and rescue operation in the area with Volunteer Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving WA and Department of Transport vessels.

Information contained within the first public notification by Water Police earlier today referred to a shark sighting at Kelp Beds at 09:21hrs. This has since been updated with the correct time of approximately 10:45am.

There was no shark sighting reported at Kelp Beds prior to the incident.

State Emergency Service volunteers are providing land based support to the search and rescue operation.     

DPIRD fisheries officers are on site and working with local authorities to coordinate response activities. 

A DPIRD fisheries vessel will be patrolling the area tomorrow morning and a drone will be operating in the area to support the response.   

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park

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 9th October 2020 at 2:00pm

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is  currently involved in assisting WA Police in response to a serious shark bite incident at Kelp Beds Beach in Esperance.

Situation:

• A surfer believed to be an adult male was involved in a serious shark bite incident at 10:45am on 9th October 2020 while surfing at Kelp Beds surf break near Esperance.
• WA Police report a surf board has been recovered from the water, however, at this time the surfer has not been located.  
• A marine search and rescue operation is ongoing in the area.
• Beaches have been closed by the Shire of Esperance and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Kelp Beds beach area.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by the Shire of Esperance rangers and DBCA. 
• 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: 

Water Police are coordinating a marine search and rescue operation

DPIRD fisheries is on site and working with local authorities to coordinate responses. 

There are vessels deployed on the water to assist with the response.

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 current alerts and warnings.