News and Alerts

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are currently investigating a possible shark bite incident at Cull Island in the Shire of Esperance.

Update on 29 December at 10:30am

DPIRD Fisheries Officers have this morning conducted an inspection of Southgate Dunes Beach and the whale carcass has washed out to sea on the rising sea and swell.

A Shark Advice remains in place for Southgate Dunes Beach. Additional caution is recommended by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as any residue from where the whale carcass was beached may still attract sharks to the area.

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a shark carcass being reported at Southside surf break, south of Main Break, near Margaret River.

Update on 17 December at 9:00am

The City of Albany has removed the sea lion carcass from Shelley Beach, near West Cape Howe.

Additional caution is recommended by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, as any residue from where the sea lion carcass was beached may still attract sharks to the area.

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Western Australian ocean users have got behind the State Government's new SharkSmart WA app with more than 10,000 people downloading the app in just over a month.

More and more people are heading for Western Australia’s awesome beaches and out on the water as the weather warms up, so it’s time to think about sharing the ocean and being considerate of other people.

There can be recreational fishers and divers in close proximity to each other, so care should always be taken. People checking lobster pots and anglers are reminded not to dispose of bait or fish waste near swimming beaches, or when divers are in the water nearby.

Update on 8 December at 11.30am

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development advise that Exmouth Shire will re-open the beach at 1pm this afternoon.

Fisheries officers will remain in the area, however will not have an on-water presence as from 12 noon due to weather conditions.

Ocean users are advised to take additional caution when swimming in the area.

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 5 December at 10:25am

The City of Albany has now removed the whale carcass from Cheynes Beach, 2km east of Cheynes Beach Caravan Park.

Warning signs remain in place, however may be removed in the near future.

Additional caution is recommended by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, as any residue from where the whale carcass was beached may still attract sharks to the area.

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 30 November at 10:45am

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) have successfully removed the Elephant Seal carcass from the Rabbit Hill Surfing Spot, near Yallingup in the Shire of Busselton

The DBCA officers attended the location yesterday evening and completed the removal of the carcass.

Water users are advised to remain cautious in this area, due to the potential residues that may continue to attract sharks.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Extra information: 

Bring your Sea Sense to the beach. Stay informed 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.

Update on 28 November at 4pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have inspected the whale carcass, which remains above the high tide line on Salmon Beach, near Windy Harbour.

Shark warning signs are in place in the area. 

Additional caution is recommended by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as the slowly decomposing whale carcass may attract sharks to the area.

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.