News & Alerts

• From Sunday, two helicopters will comb the WA coast to boost weekend beach safety
• The Perth coastal patrols will have daily flights from September 30 to the end of April
• South-West patrols fly daily during school holidays and at various times over summer
• Beachgoers are encouraged to switch on their Sea Sense

• New campaign to encourage more surfers to purchase a scientifically proven personal shark deterrent
• Surfers and divers save $200 with Government rebate 
• About 570 surfers among more than 3,700 Western Australians to purchase a device

With surfers carving up the big winter swells rolling in along our coast, Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly today launched a new campaign to encourage more surfers to switch on their Sea Sense and purchase a scientifically proven personal shark deterrent. 

• Additional $8 million committed for shark hazard mitigation in WA
• More funding for Surf Life Saving WA helicopter, drone, beach and jet ski patrols
• Over the next two years more than $12 million to be spent on keeping WA beaches safe 

• More than 500 BEN signs expected to be installed in Perth and regional WA by the end of May
• McGowan Government initiative is bringing a new level of safety to WA beach locations

• Additional 500 rebates available for scientifically proven personal shark deterrent devices
• Using a personal shark deterrent is good sea sense for surfers and divers
• $200 subsidy available on approved devices purchased through a registered retailer 

• Fishing from WA's sandy beaches is the safest way to enjoy salmon run excitement
• Recreational fishers must wear an approved lifejacket at Salmon Holes
• Swimmers, divers and surfers urged to use their Sea Sense during the salmon run 

• The scientific trial will help fill knowledge gaps from trials off the NSW coast
• Monthly reports will inform the community on sharks caught, tagged and relocated
• Both seabed-based and satellite-linked receivers will monitor tagged shark movements

• 240 seabed receivers to be used in SMART drumline trial to track fine-scale movements of tagged sharks
• Seabed monitors are in addition to three new real-time tagged shark detection receivers deployed in Gracetown
• Non-lethal SMART drumline trial to get underway before the end of this month 

• McGowan Government to install nine new alarms with lights and sirens along the Gracetown coast
• The alarms will let beachgoers know when there is SMART drumline trial activity
• Built by a Perth company, Spectur, the alarms provide prompt, localised information 

• Scientific trial to catch, tag and relocate sharks will commence in February and run for 15 months
• Contractor appointed to operate the non-lethal drumlines
• Training for the contractor will occur ahead of the full deployment of the drumlines 
• Chief Scientist to begin independent scientific evaluation 12 months into the trial