News & Alerts

Update on 19 April at 4pm:

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has advised a Regulation 44 closure has been issued for the area between Injidup Point and Canal Rocks, due to continued shark sightings.

This situation will be reviewed by DBCA prior to 6pm tomorrow evening (Friday 20 April).

Signage is in place and beach patrols will continue in this area. 

Update on 18 April at 4.55pm:

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) today deployed a patrol vessel for on water monitoring and also conducted a land patrol in the Yallingup area, in response to the report of the 3.5m white shark at 11.24am today.

DPIRD Fisheries officers will continue beach patrols tomorrow (Thursday 19 April).

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attactions officers have erected shark warning signs in the area.

Shark sightings should be reported to WA Water Police on 9442 8600.

Alert issued on 18 April:

Alert level:

A shark WARNING has been issued for the area between Smiths Beach and Injidup Beach, near Yallingup in the City of Busselton, after increased shark activity.Situation:

• Between Sunday 15 April and Wednesday 18 April there have been six sightings of sharks, including two reports of white sharks.
• Today’s most recent report at 11:24 hours was of a 3.5 metre white shark, reported by the Surf Life Saving WA helicopter.
• A bronze whaler was also detected by the Shark Monitoring Network on Saturday 14 April at Smiths Beach.
• It is possible that the frequency of the recent reported sightings and the detection may increase the likelihood of encountering a shark in this area. At beaches south of these locations, there have been significant whale carcass strandings over several weeks that could raise the risk of increased shark activity.

What to do:

• Obey beach closures advised by Local Government rangers or Surf Life Saving WA.
• Take extra caution in the Smiths Beach to Injidup area.
• 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: 
A Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Patrol Vessel is monitoring the area and Fisheries officers are attending beach locations in this area.

A Surf Life Saving WA helicopter has been active in this area and will fly patrols during the remainder of the school holidays.

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

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.