News & Alerts

Update on 7 February 2022 3:00pm 

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance in the Kelp Beds, Wylie Bay area. Beach closures will be reviewed again on Tuesday 8th February. 

Fisheries Officers from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have concluded land-based patrols for today. 

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 7 February 2022 10:45am 

Beaches remain closed by the Shire of Esperance in the Kelp Beds, Wylie Bay area. Beach closures will be reviewed later today. 

Fisheries Officers from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will continue to conduct land-based patrols throughout the day. 

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 6 February 2022 at 5:30pm

Following a successful search of the Kelp Beds area by authorities, a “pool ring’’ has been recovered and is being transferred to Perth for scientific analysis.

Investigations are continuing by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Shark Response Unit to determine details of the incident.

All water and beach users have been removed from the area and “Closed Beach” signs remain in place.

Land-based patrols by DPIRD Fisheries Marine officer’s and Esperance Shire rangers will continue from first light tomorrow to alert the public of the beach closure. 

There have been no further shark sightings in the Kelp Beds area.

 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.

Issued on 6 February 2022

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are currently involved in assisting Rangers from the Shire of Esperance with a serious shark bite incident at Kelp Beds, Wylie Bay in the Shire of Esperance.

Situation:

• A female was on a floatation device 200m off shore from the beach at Kelp Beds and was involved with a possible shark interaction as reported by witnesses at 11:55 am this morning.
• The beach at Kelp Beds has subsequently been closed by Rangers from the Shire of Esperance.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Kelp Beds/Wylie Bay area.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers.
• 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 and Marine Officers and Rangers from the Shire of Esperance will remain in the area till dark. 

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.