- Downloads of the Cook Government’s SharkSmart WA app have passed 150,000 this summer
- SharkSmart app delivers near real-time alerts and warnings of shark activity along WA coast
- New Bicton Baths beach enclosure providing popular safe swimming spot for families
Western Australians and tourists are enjoying the State’s ocean and river experiences this summer and embracing the State Government’s shark mitigation measures to stay safer in the water.
WA’s popular SharkSmart WA app and website is the cornerstone of the Cook Government’s shark mitigation strategy which includes the Sea Sense awareness campaign and beach and aerial patrols by Surf Life Saving WA.
The SharkSmart app has now exceeded 150,000 downloads since it was made available in October 2019 to inform beachgoers of shark activity before taking to the water.
The world-first personal shark deterrent subsidy for WA divers and surfers has also proved popular with more than 9,200 rebates provided.
More than 1,600 Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN signs) have been erected at beaches from the South Coast to the Pilbara, and the extended Shark Monitoring Network now consists of 40 acoustic receivers along the coast from Perth to Esperance to monitor tagged shark activity.
The community is also playing its part, recognising the safety advantages of swimming at patrolled beaches or areas with beach enclosures, including the new Bicton Baths enclosure in the City of Melville, as well as noting their nearest BEN sign and reporting shark sightings.
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. While BEN signs are primarily at beach access points, they are also located at some harbours, estuaries, boat ramps, fishing platforms, jetties and non-coastal lakes and rivers.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
“It’s great to see so many people embracing the benefits of our SharkSmart WA app and other measures, and I’m especially thankful to everyone who continues to report shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600.
“The app was designed and developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s dedicated Shark Response Unit, which is continually looking at ways to enhance public safety at our beaches.
“Shark sighting alerts and warnings that come through on the SharkSmart WA app and website support the community in so many ways and are the heartbeat of the Sea Sense campaign, which continues to raise awareness of personal water and beach safety.”
