Shark monitoring receives fund boost

An increase in funding to monitor shark movements and maintain beach enclosures will boost safety and give peace of mind to swimmers in the South West.

The State Government this week pledged an additional $1.4 million to continue its shark hazard mitigation program.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said increasing awareness about shark behaviour and the continuation of shark monitoring would be a valuable source of education.

“By increasing our awareness of shark behaviour and monitoring their presence in the ocean, we have seen an improvement in the management of this sensitive, and vital public safety issue,” she said.

Ms Mettam said the $28 million in funding since 2008 has helped to extend Surf Life Saving helicopter patrols, the development of the SharkSmart Website, tagging and monitoring.

“Locally we have also invested in two beach enclosures in Busselton and Dunsborough, both of which provide safer areas for families and tourists to enjoy our waters, and have become very popular for ocean water distance swimming,” she said.

Department of Fisheries shark response unit manager Lisa Clack said the funding commitment would protect swimmers by supporting the existing measures.

“The overall funding commitment protects swimmers by supporting existing shark hazard mitigation measures and investigating ways to enhance and expand these, as well as researching new approaches as they become available,” she said.

Ms Clack said the funding would help protect swimmers in the South West through a range of activities, including surveillance and patrols, protection and response initiatives and monitoring and notification systems.

She said the funding would also go towards investment in science and research to help inform safety strategies.