Western Australia Shark Hazard Mitigation Strategy secures $17.3 million boost

The Western Australian Government has announced a $17.3 million boost for the Shark Hazard Mitigation Strategy, aiming to ensure Western Australians can continue to enjoy the State's beaches and rivers with confidence.

The investment - which is part of the 2024-25 State Budget - includes $12.6 million to continue helicopter patrols, as well as funding to provide integrated communication systems and vital frontline safety services like a jet ski response team over the next four years.

The helicopter patrols by Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) are a crucial component of the WA Government's shark hazard mitigation strategy, which helps keep ocean users safe along beaches in Perth and the South West.

Perth metropolitan aerial patrols cover the coast from Yanchep to Mandurah, with the SLSWA helicopter also heading out to Rottnest to circle the popular holiday island. In the South West, patrols run from Bunbury to as far south as Hamelin Bay. All patrols run until the end of April and resume ahead of the peak summer swimming period in November.

An additional $4.7 million funding has also been allocated to continue WA's Shark Hazard Mitigation Strategy over the next four years.

One of the most comprehensive strategies in the country, it includes Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) signage, beach enclosures, and a bull shark research program in the Swan-Canning and other South West estuaries, to complement the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's dedicated shark-tagging program.

Funding in this year's budget will also see continued investment in measures like the SharkSmart WA app, downloaded by over 166,000 beach users, and the continuation of the world-first $200 personal shark deterrent rebate scheme, which has been taken up by more than 9,400 people across the State.

More than 1,600 BEN signs have been erected at beaches from the south coast to the Pilbara, and the Shark Monitoring Network now consists of 40 acoustic receivers along the coast from Perth to Esperance and in the Swan-Canning Estuary to monitor tagged shark activity.

This year's budget boost will see the expansion of the existing Shark Monitoring Network, including the potential deployment of additional receivers, as well as funding support for local government authorities that choose to install a beach enclosure.

All shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600, and by quoting the unique code of the closest BEN sign, authorities are able to easily identify the exact beach location. This is a simple way to help support the safety of other beach users.

Image. Helicopter patrol. Credit: by Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA)