Shark Safety

The rarity of shark attacks does not take away from the serious nature of a fatal attack when it does occur. Nor does the seemingly random nature of shark attacks help to allay fears about being bitten. The wide range of shark behaviours, injuries to victims, and circumstances involved with shark attacks suggest that there is no easy single explanation for why sharks very occasionally bite people.

While shark attacks are rare, here are a few tips to reduce the risk of encountering sharks:

  • Follow and check the SLSWA Twitter, SharkSmart website or news for alerts & activity prior to entering the water.
  • Swim close to shore and between the flags at patrolled beaches
  • Avoid aquatic activity at dusk and dawn
  • Be sure to swim, dive or surf with others
  • Avoid areas where there are large schools of fish, dolphins, seals, sea lions or bird rookeries
  • Avoid areas where animal, human or fish waste enters the water
  • Avoid deep channels or areas with deep drop-offs nearby
  • Do not remain in the water with bleeding wounds
  • Look carefully before jumping into the water from a boat or jetty
  • If spearing fish, don’t carry dead/bleeding fish attached to you and remove speared fish from the water quickly
  • If schooling fish or other wildlife start to behave erratically or congregate in large numbers, leave the water
  • If you see a shark, leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible – avoid excessive splashing or noise
While shark attacks are rare in WA, be familiar with a few tips to reduce the risk of encountering sharks.

What to do if you spot a shark

Shark sightings should be reported to the Water Police on 08 9442 8600. This number is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Surf Life Saving WA provides frequent updates on its helicopter beach patrols and shark sightings via twitter.

Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development officers and the WA Police, with support from the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Rottnest Island Authority, coastal Local Government Authorities (ranger services) and the frontline of beach safety – Surf Life Saving WA – all play their part to keep swimmers safe.

Surf lifesavers are watching from the beaches, on the water and in the air, and public officers are ready to respond to sightings and incidents.

In the event of a shark sighting, the following precautions are implemented;

  • If the shark is larger than three metres and within one kilometre of the shore – close the beach and water 1km either side of the shark location for one hour (two hours if at dawn; for the remainder of the evening if at dusk).
  • If the shark is 2 – 3 metres in length and/or schooling sharks and within 500 metres of the shore – close the beach and water 1km either side of the shark location for one hour (two hours if at dawn; for the remainder of the evening if at dusk).
  • If the shark is less than two metres in length – advise the public but maintain normal operations.

For more information visit the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development.

In the event that our Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter should spot a shark, the following actions will occur/should be observed.

  1. The helicopter will hover and sound siren to warn the public out of the water if a shark is in close proximity.
  2. The helicopter will leave the site and continue patrolling after determining water users are safe on the land.
  3. Public to stay out of the water for 60 minutes from siren sounding.
  4. Public to check mobile devices for information updates:
    1. @SLSWA Twitter
    2. www.sharksmart.com.au
    3. www.beachsafe.org.au or the Beachsafe app.
  5. Subject to other activity, the Helicopter may return to the site within 60 minutes to complete a further area sweep and assess hazard level.
  6. If no further siren sounds from the helicopter public can return to the water and continue aquatic activities.
While shark attacks are rare in WA, be familiar with a few tips to reduce the risk of encountering sharks.

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While shark attacks are rare in WA, be familiar with a few tips to reduce the risk of encountering sharks.

Beach safety

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While shark attacks are rare in WA, be familiar with a few tips to reduce the risk of encountering sharks.

Beach safety

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While shark attacks are rare in WA, be familiar with a few tips to reduce the risk of encountering sharks.

Lifesaving Services

Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter