Shark Management Alert in Real Time (SMART) drumlines in the State’s south-west will be trialled to determine if the non-lethal technology is effective at reducing shark attacks in Western Australia.
Non-lethal SMART drumlines have been used in northern New South Wales since 2015 to catch, tag, relocate and release sharks.
A local trial, carried out in local conditions, will determine if the technology is effective for WA.
Chief Scientist Peter Klinken will be conducting an independent scientific analysis of the trial and the personal shark deterrent subsidy.
All shark bites since 2000 have been attributed to white sharks and therefore they will be the target species for the program. Tiger or bull sharks caught that are over two metres will also be tagged.
The trial is expected to run for at least 12 months and be conducted in the Gracetown area. Final details and costs will be determined and announced in the coming weeks.
The trial will complement the Government’s existing shark mitigation strategy.
More.