- Cook Labor Government investing an additional $5 million to further strengthen WA's shark hazard mitigation measures
- More helicopter, beach and drone patrols across metropolitan and regional beaches
- Shark tagging to double, alongside 10 new Shark Monitoring Network receivers and a trial of new drone technology to enhance surveillance
- Cook Labor Government committed to keeping Western Australians safe
The Cook Labor Government is investing an additional $5 million to strengthen shark hazard mitigation measures and provide greater surveillance at Western Australian beaches ahead of summer.
The new funding will build on WA's comprehensive shark hazard mitigation strategy, bringing the Cook Labor Government's investment in Shark hazard mitigation to $12 million in 2026-27.
Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) will receive an additional $2.3 million to increase helicopter patrols and expand aerial surveillance across metropolitan and South West beaches. This funding has been directly informed in collaboration with Surf Life Saving WA and local Surf Life Saving Clubs.
A further $1.2 million will support additional beach and drone patrols at high-use metropolitan and regional beaches, providing more eyes on the water during busy periods.
The government will also invest $200,000 to assess alternative drone technology and operational models to determine if they can be used as an additional layer of shark surveillance at WA beaches.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will receive $800,000 to double its shark tagging efforts.
Tagged sharks can be detected through the Shark Monitoring Network, providing near real-time alerts to the community through the SharkSmart WA app and website.
A further $500,000 will fund 10 new Shark Monitoring Network receivers, expanding coverage along the WA coastline and providing more information about tagged shark movements.
The new measures build on existing initiatives including aerial and beach patrols, shark tagging and monitoring, beach enclosures, beach emergency numbers signs, shark warning systems, the personal shark deterrent rebate and SharkSmart WA.
Existing funding is also available to local governments for the installation of beach enclosures at locations along the WA coastline.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"We're investing an additional $5 million in practical measures that will strengthen shark monitoring along our coastline.
"Surf Life Saving WA plays an incredibly important role in keeping people safe at our beaches, and I want to thank their staff and volunteers for the work they do right across the State.
"We will continue working with SLSWA and investing in measures that help keep Western Australians as informed and as safe as possible when they're using our coastline.
"I encourage everyone heading to the coast to download the SharkSmart WA app, check the latest information before entering the water and report any shark sightings to Water Police."
As stated by Hillarys MLA Caitlin Collins:
"The recent shark fatality has been incredibly distressing for our community. For so many of us, going to the beach is simply part of everyday life and that's why this tragedy really hit home.
"It's important we continue to have a multi-layered approach when it comes to shark mitigation and beach safety.
"This investment by the Cook Labor Government will expand our shark tagging efforts and provide additional funding to Surf Life Saving WA to increase their lifeguard, helicopter and drone patrols.
"The trial of alternative drone technologies and AI is an important step in expanding our surveillance capabilities."
