News & Alerts

Alert issued on 11 December 

Alert level:

A shark WARNING has been issued for Perth Metropolitan Beaches after multiple detections of a tiger shark overnight and sighting of a 5 metre white shark at North Cottesloe Beach this morning.

Situation:

• A tiger shark was detected on multiple occasions overnight between Scarborough and Leighton beaches.
• At 9:32am a 5 metre white shark was sighted 300 metres from shore by the Surf Lifesaving Helicopter at North Cottesloe Beach 
• It is possible that these sightings and detections may increase the likelihood of encountering a shark in this area. 
• To reduce the threat to people, North Cottesloe Beach has now been closed. 

What to do:

• Take additional caution along the Perth Metropolitan Beaches.
• 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: 

Fisheries Officers from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Local Government rangers and Surf Life Saving WA will continue to monitor the situation. To keep people safe, beaches may be closed. 

A DPIRD Fisheries vessel will be on the water monitoring the north Cottesloe area, and the Surf Life Saving WA Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter will conduct a sweep of the Cottesloe area. 

Extra information: 

It is not uncommon for sharks to be present off the coast throughout the year. 

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.