News & Alerts

• Subsidies on WA’s world-first personal shark deterrent program expanded
• An additional $100,000 will deliver 500 more devices to help keep people safe
• The devices are part of the strategy to bring more sea sense to WA beaches

• Shark monitoring network extended to Gracetown for the first time
• Two satellite-linked receivers installed at Cowaramup Bay and one at Lefthanders
• McGowan Government is doing more than ever before for shark mitigation in WA

• Over 100 new Beach Emergency Numbers signs to be in place by Christmas 
• At least 250 more signs to follow in the new year
• Local government shows strong support for program 

Update on 3 December 2018 at 2:58pm

Services to the Shark Monitoring Network satellite-linked receiver at Warnbro Sound has been achieved.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has restored the Shark Monitoring Network to full operational status. 

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported at Little Long Point west of Walpole.

Update on 29 November 2018 at 2.40pm

Officers from Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have re-inspected the area between Guillotines and Gallows following the removal of a whale carcass. 

As a result of these inspections, the closure for the area will be lifted as of 6pm (1800hrs) today, 29 November 2018.

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.

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

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported on the beach at a location 2 nautical miles (3.7kms) north of the Sandy Cape Recreation Park south of Green Head.

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to whale carcass remains reported near the mouth of the Blackwood River in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

Update on 21 November at 11.05am

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have re-inspected the whale carcass previously reported at Little Long Point, West of Walpole. The carcass is slowly decomposing with approximately 150kilograms of the carcass remaining.

Shark warning signs remain in place.

It is anticipated the predicted swell and high tides over the coming weekend may assist to further break down the remains.

A further inspection will be conducted early next week.

If you see a shark, report your sighting to Water Police on 9442 8600

Update on 16 November at 5.30pm

Scientific testing on a tooth fragment, taken from one of the wounds received by the surfer in Sunday’s shark bite incident at Pyramids Beach, has revealed the species involved as the grey nurse shark (Carcharias Taurus).

DNA identification was used to assess the tooth fragment. 

Due to their generally docile nature, grey nurse sharks are not a target species for shark mitigation programs in Australia. 

More details about grey nurse sharks are available on SharkSmart’s species ID section: https://www.sharksmart.com.au/species/#22

It’s not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australian coast throughout the year, so people should be aware in the marine environment and bring their Sea Sense to the beach at all times. 

View the latest reported sightings and tagged shark detections before you hit the water.

If you see a shark, report your sighting to Water Police on 9442 8600