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Shark INCIDENT at Pyramids Beach near Mandurah

Shark INCIDENT at Pyramids Beach near Mandurah

16 November 2018

Update on 16 November at 5.30pm

Scientific testing on a tooth fragment, taken from one of the wounds received by the surfer in Sunday’s shark bite incident at Pyramids Beach, has revealed the species involved as the grey nurse shark (Carcharias Taurus).

DNA identification was used to assess the tooth fragment. 

Due to their generally docile nature, grey nurse sharks are not a target species for shark mitigation programs in Australia. 

More details about grey nurse sharks are available on SharkSmart’s species ID section: https://www.sharksmart.com.au/species/#22

It’s not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australian coast throughout the year, so people should be aware in the marine environment and bring their Sea Sense to the beach at all times. 

View the latest reported sightings and tagged shark detections before you hit the water.

If you see a shark, report your sighting to Water Police on 9442 8600

Update on 13 November at 12.15pm

The City of Mandurah have advised that Pyramids Beach, south of Mandurah, has now been re-opened.

All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to response agencies and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter service.

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

Update on 12 November at 1.15pm

Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have maintained a sea patrol in the Pyramids Beach area and City of Mandurah rangers have closed this beach. 

As of 1:20pm today the permanent Fisheries sea-based patrol of the area will cease.

All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to response agencies and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter service.

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

Update on 11 November at 2.25pm

The surfer involved in the shark bite incident has been successfully transferred to hospital for additional treatment.

Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have maintained sea patrols in the Pyramids Beach area and City of Mandurah rangers have closed this beach. 

Sea and beach patrols will continue tomorrow morning.

All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to response agencies and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter service.

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

Alert issued on 11 November

Alert level:
Fisheries officers are currently investigating a shark bite incident at Pyramids Beach, south of Mandurah.

Situation:

  • A surfer has received injuries on his lower leg after being bitten by an unknown species of shark at approximately 8:50am this morning.
  • The man was treated by St John Ambulance and has been transferred to hospital for additional treatment.
  • Beaches have been closed by lifeguards.

What to do:

  • Pyramids Beach has been closed until further notice.
  • Take additional caution in the Pyramids Beach and nearby Mandurah areas.
  • Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the SharkSmart website 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 response agencies and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed. 

What authorities are doing:
Water Police are conducting sea patrols of the area and Fisheries officers are on site monitoring the situation. 

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with local authorities to coordinate responses.

Extra information: 
Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the Shark Activity Map on the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity or the Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – twitter.com/SLSWA.

Check www.sharksmart.com.au/news for current alerts and warnings.

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