Five new initiatives to boost beach safety have been launched by the State Government to encourage Western Australians to play their part in minimising the risk posed by sharks.
In addition, a new Sea Sense campaign will inform the community about the State Government's shark mitigation strategies through print, television, radio and digital platforms
The new beach safety initiatives include:
Partnering with Surfing WA to promote the WA shark mitigation strategy and educate surfers on how to keep safe. The State Government has also provided drones and jet ski surveillance for WA surf events, and funding over three years for the Surfers Rescue 365 program which delivers free first aid training that is tailored specifically for surfers.
A new Independent Scientific Advisory Panel on Sharks is to be formed to provide advice to the State Government on the effectiveness of new shark mitigation technologies and scientific research into white shark populations, movements and behaviours in Western Australia
A new SharkSmart app is being developed to be released in the first half of 2019 to provide real-time information and alerts direct to mobile devices.
Collaboration across government departments and land managers is being developed to tow whale carcasses that are adrift, when conditions are suitable, along with a program to trial additional towing options.
A new shark activity map on the refreshed
SharkSmart website includes details about satellite-linked receiver locations, beach enclosures, Surf Life Saving WA surf club locations and locations of Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) signs, to help people make informed decisions before heading to the beach.
Existing shark mitigation strategies include enhanced beach helicopter and drone patrols; a world-first personal shark deterrent subsidy for divers and surfers; beach enclosures; an extended Shark Monitoring Network to Esperance; tagging operations; and a SMART drumline trial off Gracetown to start in 2019.
More.