❓ Mr. L'Estrange asks the Premier for an update on the government's shark attack prevention program. The Premier details increased aerial patrols, research into shark deterrence, funding for surf lifesaving clubs, and a trial beach enclosure at Old Dunsborough Beach.
AnsweredQoN 645Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SHARK
ATTACK — PREVENTIVE MEASURES
645. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Premier:
Can the Premier please update the house on the Liberal–National
government's program to protect Western Australian beachgoers, particularly
as I note the announcement for a new shark-proof area in the south west, plus
funding for research into shark mitigation strategies?
ATTACK — PREVENTIVE MEASURES
645. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Premier:
Can the Premier please update the house on the Liberal–National
government's program to protect Western Australian beachgoers, particularly
as I note the announcement for a new shark-proof area in the south west, plus
funding for research into shark mitigation strategies?
AnswerView source ↗
The question is an important one as summer approaches.
Members are aware that there have been five fatal shark attacks in Western
Australia since September 2011. There have been a further three serious
attacks, though not fatal, including one the other day near Esperance. In
response to that, the state government has done a number of things; the most
significant to this point has been increased aerial patrols and a switch from a
fixed-wing aircraft to helicopters along metropolitan beaches and helicopter
patrols during the school holidays over the south west, which is a popular
tourist area. Also, we are sponsoring research into shark deterrence. I visited
the University of Western Australia last week and saw some of the work being
undertaken by the UWA Oceans Institute. One that I think was particularly
interesting was the use of soundwaves into the ocean to replicate the sound of
a killer whale, and perhaps that sound could be enough to deter a great white.
It is interesting research.
However, as summer comes, people are obviously concerned
about safety at the beach. In that sense we have increased funding for
equipment for surf lifesaving clubs and, of course, for a range of reasons, it
is important that people swim between the flags. Last week I was pleased to
announce the first trial of a beach enclosure at Old Dunsborough Beach. The
best way to describe it, basically, is as an underwater fence that is secured
to the bottom of the ocean with floats holding it to the surface of the water.
I was pleasantly surprised with two aspects of this trial. Firstly, the cost
was quite acceptable at $165 000—probably less than I had anticipated.
The other aspect is the size of the enclosure. It will extend 100 metres from
the shore and then for 300 metres parallel to the shore. It is a large area,
not just a kiddies' swimming area, where people can do some serious
ocean swimming, knowing they are protected. Assuming this proves to be
successful, I anticipate it being repeated in other areas. It needs to be in
areas of comparatively calm water. Potentially, Cockburn, Rockingham and Albany
areas are suited to it. Unfortunately for the member for Churchlands and the
member for Cottesloe, it is unlikely to be suitable in exposed beaches where
there is heavy swell in winter, but I think on protected beaches it offers a
lot. People who are particularly concerned will have that extra safety.
In conclusion, I will explain a
point that I was not aware of until about a year ago when I started to get
involved in this issue. There are shark enclosures like this on the east coast;
in fact, on the Gold Coast. In New South Wales and Queensland there is heavy
use of shark nets. I had always mistakenly assumed that shark nets went from
one point of land to another. They do not. They are probably 20 to 30 metres
long. They sit, for example, on the ocean floor at Bondi and are devices for
catching sharks and drowning them. Indeed, they inadvertently catch dolphins
and other sea life. The beach enclosure that will be built at Dunsborough will
not do that. It is stressed mesh so that no fish can get through it, but the
water can obviously flow through it. Therefore, it will not damage marine life
and it will provide protection for people swimming. I hope it is a success and
that the government can replicate it in other areas of the state.
Members are aware that there have been five fatal shark attacks in Western
Australia since September 2011. There have been a further three serious
attacks, though not fatal, including one the other day near Esperance. In
response to that, the state government has done a number of things; the most
significant to this point has been increased aerial patrols and a switch from a
fixed-wing aircraft to helicopters along metropolitan beaches and helicopter
patrols during the school holidays over the south west, which is a popular
tourist area. Also, we are sponsoring research into shark deterrence. I visited
the University of Western Australia last week and saw some of the work being
undertaken by the UWA Oceans Institute. One that I think was particularly
interesting was the use of soundwaves into the ocean to replicate the sound of
a killer whale, and perhaps that sound could be enough to deter a great white.
It is interesting research.
However, as summer comes, people are obviously concerned
about safety at the beach. In that sense we have increased funding for
equipment for surf lifesaving clubs and, of course, for a range of reasons, it
is important that people swim between the flags. Last week I was pleased to
announce the first trial of a beach enclosure at Old Dunsborough Beach. The
best way to describe it, basically, is as an underwater fence that is secured
to the bottom of the ocean with floats holding it to the surface of the water.
I was pleasantly surprised with two aspects of this trial. Firstly, the cost
was quite acceptable at $165 000—probably less than I had anticipated.
The other aspect is the size of the enclosure. It will extend 100 metres from
the shore and then for 300 metres parallel to the shore. It is a large area,
not just a kiddies' swimming area, where people can do some serious
ocean swimming, knowing they are protected. Assuming this proves to be
successful, I anticipate it being repeated in other areas. It needs to be in
areas of comparatively calm water. Potentially, Cockburn, Rockingham and Albany
areas are suited to it. Unfortunately for the member for Churchlands and the
member for Cottesloe, it is unlikely to be suitable in exposed beaches where
there is heavy swell in winter, but I think on protected beaches it offers a
lot. People who are particularly concerned will have that extra safety.
In conclusion, I will explain a
point that I was not aware of until about a year ago when I started to get
involved in this issue. There are shark enclosures like this on the east coast;
in fact, on the Gold Coast. In New South Wales and Queensland there is heavy
use of shark nets. I had always mistakenly assumed that shark nets went from
one point of land to another. They do not. They are probably 20 to 30 metres
long. They sit, for example, on the ocean floor at Bondi and are devices for
catching sharks and drowning them. Indeed, they inadvertently catch dolphins
and other sea life. The beach enclosure that will be built at Dunsborough will
not do that. It is stressed mesh so that no fish can get through it, but the
water can obviously flow through it. Therefore, it will not damage marine life
and it will provide protection for people swimming. I hope it is a success and
that the government can replicate it in other areas of the state.
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