❓ Hon Simon Ehrenfeld inquired about the government's shark hazard mitigation strategy, specifically regarding patrol hours, coverage gaps, and plans for extending patrols to regional areas. The Minister provided a general overview of the strategy and recent funding for Surf Life Saving WA, but did not directly answer the specific questions about patrol hours or coverage gaps.
AnsweredQoN 466Legislative Council
Asked
10 June 2026
Member
Portfolio
466. Hon Simon Ehrenfeld to Minister for Fisheries
QuestionView source ↗
Shark hazard mitigation
466. Hon Simon Ehrenfeld to Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the
government's shark hazard mitigation strategy.
(1) How many additional helicopter and
beach patrol hours have been delivered since the program began in 2024?
(2) Were there any periods of
non-coverage or unpatrolled hours at metropolitan beaches over the last 12
months?
(3) Were there any periods of
non-coverage or unpatrolled hours at beaches in the South West over the last 12
months?
(4) Given the explosion in regional
coastal populations, are there any plans to extend the patrols to other
regional areas not already covered?
466. Hon Simon Ehrenfeld to Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the
government's shark hazard mitigation strategy.
(1) How many additional helicopter and
beach patrol hours have been delivered since the program began in 2024?
(2) Were there any periods of
non-coverage or unpatrolled hours at metropolitan beaches over the last 12
months?
(3) Were there any periods of
non-coverage or unpatrolled hours at beaches in the South West over the last 12
months?
(4) Given the explosion in regional
coastal populations, are there any plans to extend the patrols to other
regional areas not already covered?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) Since 2017, WA's shark hazard mitigation
strategy has developed into one of the most comprehensive approaches in the
world, with a range of tools and actions to help keep our water users and
coastal communities as safe as possible. This includes investment in projects
such as the SharkSmart WA app and website, the world's first shark deterrent
rebate, the dedicated shark tagging program and the expanded Shark Monitoring
Network, which provides near-real-time updates on tagged shark activity and
reports of shark sightings. The strategy also includes beach emergency numbers
signage, beach enclosures and Surf Life Saving WA beach and aerial patrols.
Last year, I announced a new three-year $13.2 million funding agreement
with Surf Life Saving WA to extend helicopter, beach and jet ski patrols to
enhance beach safety for Western Australians. In the season prior to that
announcement, the Surf Life Saving WA helicopter services carried out 719
patrols and 64 search-and-rescue missions, and triggered 101 beach closures
across almost 1,000 flying hours.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) Since 2017, WA's shark hazard mitigation
strategy has developed into one of the most comprehensive approaches in the
world, with a range of tools and actions to help keep our water users and
coastal communities as safe as possible. This includes investment in projects
such as the SharkSmart WA app and website, the world's first shark deterrent
rebate, the dedicated shark tagging program and the expanded Shark Monitoring
Network, which provides near-real-time updates on tagged shark activity and
reports of shark sightings. The strategy also includes beach emergency numbers
signage, beach enclosures and Surf Life Saving WA beach and aerial patrols.
Last year, I announced a new three-year $13.2 million funding agreement
with Surf Life Saving WA to extend helicopter, beach and jet ski patrols to
enhance beach safety for Western Australians. In the season prior to that
announcement, the Surf Life Saving WA helicopter services carried out 719
patrols and 64 search-and-rescue missions, and triggered 101 beach closures
across almost 1,000 flying hours.
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