A licence to swim with sea lions is on trial at Rockingham and Jurien Bay, approved by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
The Department said sea lions were protected animals with the public normally required to keep a minimum distance of 50 metres in the water, 100 metres in a vessel and 10 metres on land.
It said the trial would allow four licensed tour operators to get swimmers closer while managing visitor and sea lion safety.
Licensed by the Department, the licence fees are reinvested into seal research and conservation.
“If the trial is successful, it will transition to a licensed industry like Ningaloo’s humpback and whale shark interaction tours,” the Department said.
It said it was working with the selected trial operators to finalise licence conditions.
“Safety is a priority with a trained in-water guide required and size limits for tourist groups,” the Department said.
“Participants must keep a distance of at least 10 metres from the animals. Interaction locations will be away from breeding areas,” it said.
“The trial forms part of a new management program for a range of seal species.
“This involves a rigorous process and is shaped by lessons learnt in South Australia, where in-water interaction tours are licensed and have led to improved management outcomes.”
Minister for the Environment, Reece Whitby said sea lions were intelligent and curious creatures “and that is why we need to make sure safety is a priority for both swimmers and the animals”.
“Our biodiversity laws are there to protect wildlife, and this trial will allow licensed operators to manage human interactions with sea lions safely and ethically, respecting their natural behaviour,” Mr Whitby said.
