The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) says the State’s Shark Warning System has now been automated to alert beachgoers to the presence of a tagged shark in the vicinity.
As part of a cooperative program between the DPIRD and relevant Local Governments, shark warning towers are being installed at Twilight, West and Kelp Beds beaches and Bunker Bay, with two each at Cowaramup Bay and Lefthanders Surf Break.
An additional two automated towers have been allocated to the Town of Cottesloe for deployment.
In a statement, the DPIRD said when an adjacent Shark Monitoring Network receiver detected a tagged shark, the receiver would automatically trigger the beachside tower’s flashing lights, siren and audio message, which would operate for at least one hour after the detection.
“Local Government rangers and DPIRD officers will continue to manually activate the towers when public shark sightings are reported,” it said.
“The two shark warning towers at Surfers Point and Gas Bay in Margaret River will continue to operate manually.”
The Shark Warning System towers will operate between 5am to 7pm from the beginning of the October school holidays until the end of April, and then between 6am to 6pm for the remainder of the year.
Minister for Fisheries, Don Punch said the Shark Warning System beachside towers provided direct valuable alerts of shark activity.
“However, wherever and whenever you head for the ocean, remember to switch on your Sea Sense and check the SharkSmart app,” Mr Punch said.
