News & Alerts

Situation:

• In the past 10 days there have been 22 shark sightings in the area between Bunker Bay and Dunsborough Beach, in the South West WA town of Dunsborough.
• Of these sightings eight of the sharks were reported to be larger than three metres. 
• Today at 2:56pm, a 3.5m unknown species of shark was sighted at Bunker Bay.
• Yesterday, 24 April, lifesavers reported a 2.5m unknown species of shark at Bunker Bay. 
• Also on 24 April, a public report was received of a 3.5m white shark at Meelup Beach.
• On Monday, 23 April, a public report was received of an unknown species of shark, sighted at Bunker Bay.
• Also Monday, lifesavers reported 2 x 3.5m unknown species of sharks at Castle Rock.
• On Saturday, 21 April, the Surf Lifesaving WA (SLSWA) helicopter reported 2 x 2.5m unknown species of sharks at Bunker Bay.
• On Friday, 20 April, the SLSWA helicopter reported a 2.5m unknown species of shark at Bunker Bay.
• On Thursday, 19 April, the SLSWA helicopter reported 5 x 2.5m unknown species of east of Bunker Bay.
• Also on 19 April, a public report was received of a 4.0m white shark 2km offshore from Dunsborough Beach.
• On Wednesday 18 April, the SLSWA helicopter sighted a 3.0m unknown species of shark Point Picquet.
• Also on 18 April, the helicopter a 2.5m unknown species of shark east of Bunker Bay. 
• On 16 April, a public report was received of a 3.0m tiger shark sighted at Bunker Bay.
• Also on 16 April, the SLSWA helicopter reported a 2.5m unknown species of shark at Bunker Bay Beach and a 4.0m tiger shark at Dunsborough and also a 3.0m tiger shark at Dunsborough Boat Ramp.
• On 15 April, the helicopter reported a 3.5m tiger shark at Dunsborough Boat Ramp.
• It is possible that the frequency or duration of the recent reported sightings may increase the likelihood of encountering a shark in this area.

What to do:

• Obey beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers or Surf Life Saving WA.
• Take extra caution in the Dunsborough to Bunker Bay 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: 
Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will continue to patrol this area and will monitor the situation. There will also be daily patrols over the area by the SLSWA helicopter this week. 

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.