Shark activity map
Common sense tips here.
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Shark hazard mitigation strategies.
Read More about Shark hazard mitigation strategies
Even though shark encounters are rare, here are some common sense tips to help reduce the risk of one happening.
Since 2008, the Western Australian Government has invested in a broad range of shark hazard mitigation strategies, and continues to commit to initiatives such as helicopter and beach patrols, science, education and awareness, emerging technologies, and beach enclosures.
The Western Australian Government and its partners have implemented a variety of beach safety initiatives to provide protection from the risk of shark interactions.
Government agencies and local land managers are working together to make our beaches safer. Together we have developed strong operational responses for when a shark is considered to be posing a serious threat to public safety.
The Western Australian Government is offering a rebate of $200 to 1,000 Western Australian residents that purchase an approved personal shark deterrent device.
Rebates will be available when purchasing a shark deterrent that has been approved by the Department of Fisheries, following independent testing.
Keep informed of the latest reported sighting and tagged shark detection information on the shark activity map or follow the live twitter feed from Surf Life Saving WA.
You can also download the Beachsafe app to your mobile device to receive up to date information for all 3,494 WA beaches including patrol info (where applicable), hazards, warnings, weather information, shark sightings, rescue stats, beach information and more.
Listen to authorities at your beach on arrival. WA Water Police, Surf Lifesavers or Local Government Rangers may direct you if your beach is closed.
Play your part by reporting shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600.
There has been an increase in shark incidents in WA, particularly in the last 20 years. Some of the serious incidents in the last two decades have involved surfing, body boarding, snorkelling or SCUBA diving further offshore and in deeper water than where most people swim at the beach, while others have occurred closer inshore.
It is crucial that beachgoers take personal responsibility by finding out the latest information about the beach they plan to visit and obeying any directions from authorities when they are at the beach.
Visit our map to see the latest information for shark activity at your local beach.
A drum line is a fishing apparatus that consists of a baited hook suspended from buoys, anchored to the ocean floor.
Baited drum lines were deployed about 1km offshore of a number of popular Perth metropolitan and South West beaches between January and April 2014. The program did not continue beyond the trial.
Baited drum lines were deployed at Mullaloo, Trigg, Scarborough, Floreat, City, North Cottesloe, Cottesloe, Leighton and Port Beaches in the metropolitan area. In the South West during January to mid-February, drum lines were deployed at Old Dunsborough, Castle Rock, Meelup and Bunker Bay. Equipment was then transferred to between Yallingup and Lefthanders, with a greater emphasis on surfing locations until 30 April 2014.
The program did not continue beyond the trial.
Increased media attention, surveillance and more people using the water have contributed to the impression that shark numbers have risen.
Department of Fisheries’ researchers try to estimate shark numbers based on fishing data.
What cannot be disputed is that there have been unprecedented numbers of shark fatalities, with eleven fatalities since 2010.
The Department of Fisheries has completed a review of white shark population numbers. The study attempted to reconstruct the levels of annual catch of white sharks since 1938, and to combine this data with life-history information to develop a series of population trajectories. These scenarios varied markedly and the report has identified the need for further investigation to reduce the level of uncertainty and narrowing the range of possible scenarios.
Most of the 100 or more shark species in WA are capable of injuring humans, however an overwhelming majority of them are not aggressive under most circumstances. White, bull and tiger sharks are considered the most significant threat.
Larger sharks tend to be very mobile and can travel large distances in search of prey. As there are no obstacles to them coming close to shore, there is always a small chance that people may encounter sharks.
The Shark Monitoring Network (SMN) was implemented to collect information about white shark movements off our coast. The entire project was funded by the Western Australian Government, and including the pilot phase extended over seven years, at a cost $3 million dollars.
The results, released in April 2016, show that white sharks can exhibit rapid, extensive movements around the Western Australian coast with some seasonality in their abundance off the metropolitan coast. As their movements are mostly uncoordinated, this limits general predictions of when human encounters with this species could be likely.
For further information view Fisheries Research Report No. 273, 2016.
Helpful Q&A’s on the report summarise some of the key findings.
A ‘rogue’ shark is one that returns to the same location and deliberately targets humans. Evidence would suggest it’s extremely unlikely that a rogue shark has been involved in any WA shark incidents.
The ‘rogue’ shark theory is frequently discussed, particularly in the media. Although it maintains a place in popular belief (thanks to the Jaws movies and similar stories), it is simply an unsubstantiated theory.
There are certainly lots of theories, but it’s impossible to say for sure what caused this series of tragic events.
A correlation study was conducted in 2012 to look at potential risk factors with white shark attacks in WA waters. The report explores possible links between shark sightings, interactions or attacks and locations, weather conditions, water temperatures and the activity of other marine mammals that might attract sharks. This report helped shape our shark SMART safety tips.
The Department of Fisheries is also actively monitoring white shark movements around the Perth metropolitan area, Geographe Bay, Smiths Beach (Yallingup) and Albany, through the Shark Monitoring Network (SMN) project which has significantly improved the level of understanding of the movements of white sharks. The satellite-linked receivers which are part of the SMN also provide ‘real time’ information on tagged shark detections to response agencies and the public, so people can make an informed decision about their water use.
No, there is a State ban on shark tourism ventures which involve the use of a safety cage for protecting swimmers or divers from sharks. Tour operators are also not permitted to use blood, berley or other equipment for the purpose of attracting sharks.
Beach enclosures are designed to prevent sharks moving into enclosed swimming areas.
The Western Australian Government has funded five enclosures. These include Old Dunsborough and the Busselton foreshore in the South-West, Middleton Beach in Albany, Sorrento Beach and Quinns Beach, north of Perth.
In May 2017, the City of Mandurah was offered $200,000 towards installing a beach enclosure at Falcon Beach.
The City of Cockburn has funded its own enclosure at Coogee Beach near Fremantle.
Some of the known research shows the 'scent' from bait is detected a few hundred meters away, so any shark would need to be in the area already. These baits are 1km offshore and should draw sharks away from beaches.
The Western Australian Government funded $1.9 million worth of research into personal deterrents like shark shields and visual deterrents as well as large scale deterrents like barriers and detection technology, through science research grants.
Laboratory and field trials on existing electrical shark deterrents and potential novel shark deterrents such as loud underwater sounds, bright flashing lights and bubbles were tested in the laboratory and in the ocean in Western Australia and South Africa on a wide range of shark species, including white sharks.
The research found that the Shark Shield FREEDOM 7TM had a significant effect in deterring a range of shark species, including tiger and white sharks. It is currently considered to be the most effective personal shark deterrent device available.
A summary of research findings were released in June 2015, and in 2016 the University of Western Australian published its report on the Shark Shield FREEDOM 7TM.
The Western Australian Government is now offering a Shark Deterrent Rebate of $200 to 1,000 Western Australian residents that purchase an approved personal shark deterrent device.
Yes, a shark that has attacked someone or is deemed a threat can be captured and killed.
You should report shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600.
Report all shark sightings as soon as possible to ensure effective response procedures. Include: