News & Alerts

Update on 9 April at 4.35pm:

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) have today confirmed beaches will remain closed from Cosy Corner to Bobs Hollow until 4.30pm Monday 16 April when the situation will be again reviewed.

The Section 44 notice which formally closes waters from Hamelin Bay to Bobs Hollow between the shoreline and two kilometres out to sea has also been extended until 16 April by DBCA.

A number of whale carcasses have not yet been removed from the area (see prior updates), and the decomposing carcasses may attract sharks.

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

Update on 15 March at 1.55pm:

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has sought expert scientific opinion on what caused the injuries to two 10 year-old boys, who suffered bite wounds in a suspected shark interaction at Watermans Bay Beach.

Photos of the injuries were supplied to us for investigation, by a relative of one of the boys.

We have been advised the injuries were not consistent with a shark bite, but some other marine animal.

As a result we are downgrading the alert issued overnight, however, water users should be careful in the marine environment at all times.

Alert issued 14 March 2018:

Alert level:
A shark WARNING has been issued for Perth Metropolitan Waters between Sorrento Beach and Trigg after a possible shark interaction was reported at Watermans Bay Beach this evening.

Update on 28 February at 3.45pm:

• The Shark Monitoring Network receiver at Bickley Point (Rottnest) is back in service.
• The satellite-linked Shark Monitoring Network is now fully operational

Alert issued 26 February 2018:

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued for Western Australian water users due to a partial outage in the shark notification system.

A man has been injured in a shark incident at Cone Bay in the Kimberley, north of Derby.

Situation:

• A man received injuries after being bitten by a Bull Shark at approximately 08:00 hrs on Sunday 28 January. The man was treated at Derby Hospital yesterday and is being flown to Perth for further treatment to injuries, which are reportedly not serious.

A surfer has been injured in a shark incident at South Point, Gracetown, in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Situation:

• A man received injuries after being bitten by an unconfirmed species of shark, while surfing at South Point at approximately 18:00 hrs on Friday 5 January 2018.
• It’s suspected the shark may have been a small whaler or a wobbegong.

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a number of shark sightings and detections near Rottnest Island.

Update on 8 December at 2.00pm:

• The satellite linked Shark Monitoring Network receiver at Meelup is back in service.
• The Shark Monitoring Network is now fully operational.

Alert issued 7 December:

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued for Western Australian water users due to a partial outage in the shark notification system.

Update on 9 December at 1.00pm:

The sperm whale carcass reported near Hopetoun has now been removed from the beach.

Caution is still advised as any residue from where the carcass was beached may still attract sharks to the area.

Alert issued 1 December:

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported at Two-mile Beach east of Hopetoun.

Update on 4 December at 12.35pm:

• The satellite-linked receiver fault at Smiths Beach has been repaired
• The Shark Monitoring Network is now fully functional

Alert issued 29 November:

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued for Western Australian water users due to a partial outage in the shark notification system.

Update on 15 November at 1pm:

The  shark advice remains in place for Alexander Point east of Duke of Orleans Bay

• The whale carcass is badly decomposed and has washed ashore on the eastern side of Alexander Point.
• Due to the location and state of decomposition the whale will not be removed.
• There is likely to be residue from the carcass in the area that will continue to act as a shark attractant.
• Two white sharks have been sighted in the area.
• Water users and people visiting the area should continue to exercise additional caution

Alert issued 13 November:

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued, due to a whale carcass being reported at Alexander Point east of Duke of Orleans Bay near Esperance