Shark Warning System upgrade to boost safety for Western Australia beaches

Western Australia’s Shark Warning System is now automated to alert beachgoers to the presence of a tagged shark in the vicinity.

Eight automated beachside towers, currently operating with the support of Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) or the relevant local government, are installed at Twilight, West and Kelp Beds beaches along the Esperance coast, Bunker Bay near Dunsborough, and there are two each at Cowaramup Bay and Lefthanders Surf Break. An additional two automated towers have been allocated to the Town of Cottesloe for deployment.

When an adjacent Shark Monitoring Network receiver detects a tagged shark, the receiver will automatically trigger the beachside tower's flashing lights, siren and audio message, which will operate for at least one hour after the detection. Local Government rangers and DPIRD officers will continue to manually activate the towers when public shark sightings are reported. The two shark warning towers at Surfers Point and Gas Bay in Margaret River will continue to operate manually.

Under the new automation program, the beachside Shark Warning System towers will operate between 5am to 7pm from the commencement of the October school holidays until the end of April, and then between 6am to 6pm for the remainder of the year.

Western Australia Fisheries Minister Don Punch notes "DPIRD has developed an innovative computer program that automatically activates the beachside Shark Warning System towers when a tagged shark is detected on an adjacent Shark Monitoring receiver.

"On a recent visit to Esperance, the Shire requested the automation of their shark warning towers to alert beachgoers immediately to the detection of a tagged shark - and it is great to be able to announce this safety improvement has been delivered in time for summer.

Minister Punch added "The Shark Warning System beachside towers provide direct valuable alerts of shark activity, but wherever and whenever you head for the ocean, remember to switch on your Sea Sense and check the SharkSmart App.”

Image courtesy SharkSmart