Bicton Baths beach enclosure installation complete

The Swan River’s first beach enclosure is set to open for summer, with City of Melville today completing the installation of shark protections at the popular Bicton Baths swimming spot.

As part of Western Australia’s shark hazard mitigation measures, the enclosure will soon be open to the public following safety checks.

Following a Western Australian Government commitment of up to $300,000 to the City of Melville for the beach enclosure, Bibra Lakes-based business Global Marine Enclosures was awarded the contract to design, construct and install the barrier in Bicton Baths.

The enclosure is attached to the existing jetty at Bicton Baths and is about 50 metres long and 50 metres wide offering a protected swimming area with a physical barrier to reduce the risk of a shark encounter and, unlike netting programs used on the east coast, it is designed to be non-lethal for marine life.

Commenting on the new beach enclosure, Western Australian Fisheries Minister, Don Punch noted "this is the seventh enclosure funded by the State Government and the first installed in the Swan River.

"I encourage all beach and river users to download the SharkSmart WA app to keep up-to-date with the latest alerts and information on shark activity."

City of Melville Mayor, Katy Mair added “we are excited to open the beach enclosure for our community to enjoy over summer.

“Bicton Baths is a well-loved and very popular swimming spot, and the beach enclosure offers a protected swimming area with a physical barrier to reduce the risk of a shark encounter.

“I want to make it clear that the enclosure is a barrier, not a net, and it is designed to be non-lethal towards marine life.

“The enclosure is designed to prevent swimmers and small marine life from getting caught in the barrier, while preventing large marine life such as sharks from entering,” she said.

The beach enclosure is made from solid, durable plastic struts that are connected between flexible, high strength horizontal polymer rods, creating openings of 30cm by 30cm.

This optimal opening size was determined in consultation with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

It is designed to prevent swimmers and small marine life from getting caught in the barrier, while preventing large marine life such as sharks from entering.

The Council says it has been working closely with DBCA and DPIRD to assess potential environmental impacts and obtain all necessary approvals.

Other measures for the Swan Canning Estuary include the installation of three acoustic shark monitoring receivers which connect to the existing Shark Monitoring Network.

The receivers are set to go at East Fremantle, Blackwall Reach and near Canning Bridge and will provide near real-time notifications of tagged shark activity to the community via the SharkSmart WA app and SharkSmart website.

A Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) sign has also been installed at Bicton Baths to support first responders in case of a beach emergency.

Images: The Bicton Baths beach enclosure (top and below) and (middle, from left): City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair; Western Australian Fisheries Minister, Don Punch; Safer Swimming in the Swan campaigner, Cameron Wrathall; Member for Bicton, MLA Lisa O’Malley; Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook and Western AustralianDepartment of Primary Industries and Regional Development Shark Response Unit Manager, Michael Burke discuss shark mitigation strategies.