New funding boost for shark mitigation
Norman Moore
Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Fisheries; Electoral Affairs
Tue 15 November, 2011
Portfolio: Fisheries
- $2.05million over five years to establish a Shark Response Unit
- $1.98million annually for helicopter and beach patrols
- $1.7million for four shark-related research projects
The State Government will invest more than $13.65million over the next five years to help reduce the potential risk of shark attacks in response to a review of Western Australia’s shark mitigation strategies.
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said the review was important in light of three tragic incidents this year, where sharks were known or believed to have been involved.
“The Government had already moved to increase Surf Lifesaving WA (SLWA) helicopter surveillance patrols along Perth beaches and Rottnest Island, with additional services soon to begin in the South-West, which will be particularly important during holiday periods and schoolies celebrations,” Mr Moore said.
The Minister said a dedicated Shark Response Unit would be established with capabilities to tag sharks that appear to be resident near popular swimming beaches and would also assess technologies like shark repellent devices and community alert systems such as SMS warnings and social media.
“Additional funding of $1.7million will support four related research projects, enabling the Department of Fisheries to explore correlations between shark sightings and attacks with locations, weather conditions, water temperatures and the activity of marine mammals that may attract sharks,” he said.
“The existing satellite-linked shark monitoring project would be extended by two years and additional monitoring equipment will be installed at locations in the South-West to help improve our knowledge of shark movements. Another research project will examine the impact on shark numbers and a study to assess the effectiveness of beach netting as a potential hazard mitigation strategy.”
While the State Government did not support beach netting at this point in time, the Department of Fisheries will undertake an evaluation of the effectiveness of beach netting as is used in the Eastern States. The department will also implement a community engagement strategy and media campaign to provide information about avoiding shark hazards.
Mr Moore said Cabinet’s consideration of other strategies had ruled out a major cull of white sharks to reduce numbers; any seal culling or relocation program; the creation of beach pools as a shark mitigation strategy; and drum line programs to control white shark numbers.
Fisheries regulation amendments have also extended an existing ban on the disposal of offal and blood at popular swimming and surfing beaches in Perth and selected regional locations. Fines for such illegal disposal would increase from $2,000 to $10,000.
“There will also be new provisions drawn up to implement a licensing regime for shark feeding and shark cage tourism operations,” the Minister said.
“No such operations currently exist in this State (unlike South Australia and South Africa) but the Department of Fisheries has received inquiries from charter operators interested in commencing this activity. It often can attract white sharks to a certain area which could pose a risk to public safety and should be more closely regulated.”
Mr Moore said the State Government was taking important steps to improve safety around potential shark hazards and people who used the marine environment should also consider their own safety and be aware of potential risks.
Fact File
- All shark sightings should be reported to WA Water Police on 9442 8600
- Shark safety tips available from Department of Fisheries at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au
- Information on helicopter patrols available from http://www.mybeach.com.au
Minister's office - 9422 3000
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
Feeding them around Perth so
Feeding them around Perth so people can look at them is a bloody terrible idea - thats my 2c.
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
hooty
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 25/05/10
Im with you dkonig, already
Im with you dkonig, already proven by research. In the Neptune Islands the whites are staying in the areas where shark cages operate and burley for significant longer times than they used to.
Alan James
Posts: 2208
Date Joined: 30/06/09
What an absolute waste of taxpayers money
and imo mostly generated from media hype. I'm thinking in 5 years time when the $13.65M has been spent we are going to know exactly what we do now and that is if you venture into the sea there is a possibility of shark attack. I hope everyone feels safer in 5 years time.
Deckie
Posts: 1297
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Pay me.....
For a healthy slice of the kitty i can tell the commitee why G/W's are attacking people. Perhaps it's because we are in the shark's back yard, we move slow presenting an easy target, sometimes we dress like seals > a favorite food, & we swim when visibility is poor to us & it's overcast. In all seriousness, common sense can play a large part in avoiding being attacked by a shark. I know it's the risk we take for enjoying the favorite passtimes we have but we know they are out there, we know they hang around seal packs & migrating whales & sometimes venture close to our shores. I'm not sure that any amount of study will reduce the numbers of attacks, it will, like most govt funded studies, only come up with figures that will tell us what we already know. When your not sure that you want to take the risk, then stand under a tree.
Swim safe & enjoy your life. cheers Rob
Cheers & Stay safe
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Spotters
With the speed that sharks can travel they would need more than one aircraft, be it a chopper or fixed wing. The plane could be up Yanchep way and a shark has at least half an hour to swim in and check out the beach and disappear before the plane can get down to that area. Two Rocks/Yancep to South of Mandurah is something like 100-120km, a fair distance when you are travelling slow to get as good a look as possible then if they spot one and circle till the boats arrive even more time is lost.
walkdady
Posts: 77
Date Joined: 26/10/07
back to reality
Fellas, its better that they are at least trying isnt it? if 1 life is saved through all of this i personally believe it will be worth it... much rather money be spent on our wonderful part of the indian ocean and its marine life than on other things...
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
From the mouth of a
From the mouth of a Minister!!
"The Minister said a dedicated Shark Response Unit would be established with capabilities to tag sharks that appear to be resident near popular swimming beaches and would also assess technologies like shark repellent devices and community alert systems such as SMS warnings and social media".
I think most of us already realise the sharks that are a potential problem i.e. GWhites are not exactly resident though they will revisit certain areas at times and stay in an area for varying times whilst they follow their food sources.
I'm looking for a new job - am prepared to move west so may have to apply to become a member of the elite SRU (will be a good pick up line at least).......
Cheers
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
Rather they spent the money on our road system
Unlike going in the water I don't have a choice to tackle the road system and to deal with idiot drivers who don't know the rules or don't give a shit. Not a day goes past where I don't feel threatened in some form or another.
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.