Beach enclosure to be installed at Fremantle’s Bathers Beach

The City of Fremantle has decided to install a beach enclosure at Bathers Beach and to roll out Beach Emergency Number (BEN) signs along the Swan River.

The Western Australian Government has committed $500,000 towards the cost of the new beach enclosure, as part of the State's comprehensive shark hazard mitigation strategy.

Beach enclosures offer a protected swimming area with a physical barrier to reduce the risk of a shark encounter, and are designed not to trap marine life.

The new beach enclosure will be approximately 340 metres long and be installed between existing breakwaters to provide an enclosed swimming and snorkelling area of about 60,000 square metres.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will work with the City to obtain all the necessary approvals for the beach enclosure.

Seven new BEN signs will be installed next month along the northern side of the Swan River between Crab Bay and Rocky Bay, bringing its total number of signs to 51 under the State-led program.

The new river-based signs will complement the existing 44 BEN signs along the coast between Leighton Beach and South Beach, further boosting shark hazard mitigation measures for the community.

The Government recently committed another $17.3 million as part of the State Budget to continue to deliver shark hazard mitigation initiatives over the next four years.

Western Australia provides a multi-faceted approach to help keep beach and river users safe in the water, including beach enclosures, the SharkSmart WA app, Shark Monitoring Network, rebates for personal shark deterrent devices, shark tagging programs, and helicopter patrols.

WA Acting Fisheries Minister Hannah Beazley notes "The State Government is continuing to invest in a range of important safety initiatives to ensure Western Australians can enjoy our beaches and Swan River with confidence.

"I welcome the decision by the City of Fremantle to go ahead with the Bathers Beach enclosure to provide another protected swimming area for the community, as well as the installation of extra BEN signs to support first responders in case of a beach emergency.

"The Bathers Beach enclosure is the eighth one supported by the Cook Government, and follows the installation of the first beach enclosure in the Swan River, at Bicton Baths, at the end of last year."

Beach and river users are encouraged to download the SharkSmart WA app to stay informed.

It is also very important for anyone who sees a shark to report it to Water Police immediately on 9442 8600.