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Sharks watch network extended to cover Capes region

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Dylan CapornThe West Australian
Sharks will soon be monitored in the Capes region.
Camera IconSharks will soon be monitored in the Capes region. Credit: AP

WA’s shark-monitoring network will be widened to the popular Capes region before rollout of the smart drum-line trial, the State Government says.

Speaking at the launch of Surf Life Saving WA coastal patrols, Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said community consultation regarding the drum lines and extending the network to cover the Capes region in the South West would start soon.

“This will mean for the first time around Gracetown there will be full-time VR4 receivers which will provide real-time information should a tagged shark be in the area,” Mr Kelly said.

“Exactly where those satellite receivers are located will be developed when we talk to the community about the drum-line trial.”

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VideoKeith Halnan, head of the South West Safe Sharks group, says the Government needs to be applauded for listening.

Mr Kelly said he believed the drum lines would be installed in January.

“We’re going to begin a consultation with local stakeholders on what that trial might look like ... and will begin immediately, while there will also be an online survey beginning next month,” he said.

“We’ve committed to 10 to 12 drum lines around Gracetown, but exactly where they are located is something we’ll be talking to the community about.”

Surf Life Saving WA president Craig Smith-Gander said the organisation would work with the Government once the drum lines were in place.

SLSWA’s air services conducted almost 1000 patrol hours and spotted 522 sharks between October last year and May.

VideoSEE: Two men fishing off Mindarie's coast were visited by a curious Great White shark today.

“We’ll be talking to the State about how the trial works in the Gracetown area and it’s quite likely we’ll be talking to them about how to use the helicopter and also our drone patrols to assist and understand what it looks like from the air,” Mr Smith-Gander said.

“Our view of the trial is that there are a range of mitigation strategies WA can use — this trial at Gracetown is a really important part of that. It’s not the only solution, but it’s part of the solution.

“It clearly is assisting the morale of surfers and swimmers in the South West, so we think it’s a positive contribution.”

Weekend coastal patrols started yesterday, ranging from Yanchep to Port Bouvard in Perth, and Bunbury and Margaret River in the regions.

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