Sea lion encounter trial approved for Western Australia with focus on safety

​Four tour operators have been chosen to trial a licensed swimming with sea lions experience approved for Rockingham and Jurien Bay in Western Australia with a focus on safety for both swimmers and seals.

The tour operators chosen include Perth Wildlife Encounters for Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and Turquoise Safaris, Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience and Lobster Shack for Jurien Bay Marine Park.

Seals are protected in WA, with the public required to keep a minimum distance of 50 metres in the water, 100 metres in a vessel and 10 metres on land. The trial will allow licensed tour operators to get swimmers closer, while managing visitor and seal safety.

Participating tour operators will be licensed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), with licence fees reinvested into seal research and conservation. If the trial is successful, it will transition to a licensed industry like Ningaloo's humpback and whale shark interaction tours.

DBCA is working with selected trial operators to finalise licence conditions. Safety is a priority with a trained in-water guide required and size limits for tourist groups. Participants must keep a distance of at least 10 metres from the animals. Interaction locations will be away from breeding areas.

The trial will bring a management framework to existing interactions with Australian sea lions and strengthen conservation outcomes.

The trial forms part of a new management program for a range of seal species. This involved a rigorous process and was shaped by lessons learnt in South Australia, where in-water interaction tours are licensed and have led to improved management outcomes.

WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby notes "Seals are incredibly intelligent and curious creatures and that is why we need to make sure safety is a priority for both swimmers and the animals.

"Tourists can already swim with sea lions at Jurien Bay. This is about partnerships with industry and science to manage these interactions and could be expanded to other locations.

"Our biodiversity laws are there to protect wildlife, and this trial will allow licensed operators to manage human interactions with sea lions safely and ethically, respecting their natural behaviours.

"WA is a unique destination for wildlife experiences, and this is a great opportunity to interact with sea lions in their own environment while playing a part in safeguarding their protection."

To read the program, visit www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/marine/marine-wildlife/503-seal-wise

Image. Western Australia's licensed swimming with sea lions trial will include the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Credit: Perth Wildlife Encounters