❓ The Premier outlines new measures, costing $8 million, to reduce shark attack risks, including destroying sharks posing an immediate threat near beaches, further research, jet skis for surf clubs, public awareness campaigns, and trialling shark protection barriers.
AnsweredQoN 573Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SHARK ATTACK — PREVENTIVE MEASURES
573. Mr A.P. JACOB to the Premier:
Could the Premier please update the house on the new measures
he announced this morning that are aimed at reducing the risk of shark attacks
and better protecting Western Australian beachgoers?
573. Mr A.P. JACOB to the Premier:
Could the Premier please update the house on the new measures
he announced this morning that are aimed at reducing the risk of shark attacks
and better protecting Western Australian beachgoers?
AnswerView source ↗
This morning Hon Norman Moore, in his capacity as Minister
for Fisheries, and I announced a set of measures valued at around $8 million to
try to minimise the risk of shark attacks to the greatest extent possible. I
think everyone knows that we can never ensure there will be no shark attacks or
fatalities. Over the past 106 years there have been 12 fatalities; in the past
12 months there have been five. Clearly, something has changed, and there are
lots of theories about that.
The most significant measure announced is that if a large
great white shark is seen swimming close to the coastline—probably
within a kilometre—and heading towards beaches where people are
swimming, and if it is judged, according to criteria set out by the Director
General of Fisheries, to represent a threat to the safety of beachgoers, an
order will be issued and the shark will be destroyed. That is a change in
policy. I think it is an appropriate change in policy. It does not amount to a
culling of the shark population. It does not amount to hunting them down. Where
a judgement is made that a shark poses a risk to the safety of beachgoers, that
shark will be destroyed.
We also announced other measures relating to further research
into shark behaviour and deterrents, which are particularly important to
surfers and divers. Also, $500 000 will be spent on supplying jet skis to surf
clubs in Western Australia. There will be a public awareness program warning
people of the dangers. Some of these young kids going out surfing are not aware
of the dangers. If there are seals on the rocks or around the reef, it is not a
good idea to surf in that vicinity. What may seem to be obvious information
will be directed to surfers and families. We will also do some research and
trial a shark protection barrier. If that proves successful, we intend to
replicate that on both metropolitan and regional beaches. That is a sensible
and well-thought-out set of measures. There is always a danger in swimming and
diving well off the coast, especially to surfers. The best advice I and anyone
can give to most beachgoers is to swim on a patrolled beach and to stay between
the flags and they will be safe.
for Fisheries, and I announced a set of measures valued at around $8 million to
try to minimise the risk of shark attacks to the greatest extent possible. I
think everyone knows that we can never ensure there will be no shark attacks or
fatalities. Over the past 106 years there have been 12 fatalities; in the past
12 months there have been five. Clearly, something has changed, and there are
lots of theories about that.
The most significant measure announced is that if a large
great white shark is seen swimming close to the coastline—probably
within a kilometre—and heading towards beaches where people are
swimming, and if it is judged, according to criteria set out by the Director
General of Fisheries, to represent a threat to the safety of beachgoers, an
order will be issued and the shark will be destroyed. That is a change in
policy. I think it is an appropriate change in policy. It does not amount to a
culling of the shark population. It does not amount to hunting them down. Where
a judgement is made that a shark poses a risk to the safety of beachgoers, that
shark will be destroyed.
We also announced other measures relating to further research
into shark behaviour and deterrents, which are particularly important to
surfers and divers. Also, $500 000 will be spent on supplying jet skis to surf
clubs in Western Australia. There will be a public awareness program warning
people of the dangers. Some of these young kids going out surfing are not aware
of the dangers. If there are seals on the rocks or around the reef, it is not a
good idea to surf in that vicinity. What may seem to be obvious information
will be directed to surfers and families. We will also do some research and
trial a shark protection barrier. If that proves successful, we intend to
replicate that on both metropolitan and regional beaches. That is a sensible
and well-thought-out set of measures. There is always a danger in swimming and
diving well off the coast, especially to surfers. The best advice I and anyone
can give to most beachgoers is to swim on a patrolled beach and to stay between
the flags and they will be safe.
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