News & Alerts

Alert issued on 19 May 2025

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued for Gracetown water users, due to a partial outage in the Shark Monitoring Network at Lefthanders Surfing Spot.

Situation:

• The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) advise that tagged shark detections from Shark Monitoring Network receiver located at Lefthanders Surfing Spot is currently offline.
• The Lefthanders Surfing Spot receiver has broken free from its mooring and is out of operation until further notice.
• Restoration of the service will require a maintenance crew to replace the receiver. 

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Gracetown area.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers or Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA).
• Use your Sea Sense and stay informed by checking for shark activity on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app or follow @SLSWA on X (formerly Twitter). 
• If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and @SLSWA on X. 

What authorities are doing: 

The relevant authorities that receive shark notifications to assist them in responses have been notified of the outage; including SLSWA, WA Police and relevant local government rangers.

DPIRD will be working to restore the system to full operational status as soon as possible. 

Extra information: 

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow @SLSWA on X – x.com/SLSWA. Check www.sharksmart.com.au/news for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases

The Shark Monitoring Network forms part of a range of shark mitigation strategies in place.  See www.sharksmart.com.au for additional information.