- Cook Government investing $13.2 million towards Surf Life Saving Western Australia's (SLSWA) aerial and beach surveillance
- 2025/26 aerial patrols begin on 6 September and fly through until the end of April
- SLSWA is a key partner for WA's comprehensive shark hazard mitigation strategy
The Cook Government has signed a new three-year agreement with Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) to help keep beachgoers safe along the WA coast.
The new $13.2 million agreement will support SLSWA to deliver their helicopter, beach and jet ski patrols to enhance beach safety for Western Australians.
The funding will also assist with communications services through SLSWA's SurfCom centre and notification of shark activity through SLSWA's X feed.
It comes as the annual SLSWA helicopter patrol season gets underway this weekend to alert beach users to sharks spotted along the Perth and South West coasts.
The metropolitan chopper will patrol between Mandurah and Yanchep, and Rottnest Island to the west, on weekends throughout September and then daily from 27 September to the end of April.
The South West flights will patrol between Bunbury and Hamelin Bay, and will run daily throughout school holidays and peak periods over summer, and on weekends and public holidays at all other times.
WA's shark hazard mitigation strategy is one of the most comprehensive approaches in Australia, with a range of measures to ensure the beautiful ocean and river environments can be enjoyed as safely as possible.
Last season, the SLSWA helicopter services carried out 719 patrols, 64 search and rescue missions and triggered 101 beach closures across almost 1,000 flying hours.
Details on both the metro and South West aerial patrol services are on the SharkSmart website at www.sharksmart.com.au/staying-safe/beach-safety-protection-initiatives
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"We're very proud to continue to support the Surf Life Saving WA patrols which are a vital part of our shark hazard mitigation strategy to help keep WA beachgoers safe and aware.
"The aerial patrols were responsible for about half of the reported shark sightings on the SharkSmart WA app and website last season.
"This important service is highly valued by visitors to our beaches, providing direct communication and timely information about any sightings so people can enjoy the beach with confidence."
