With a Bull shark now blamed for the fatal Swan River attack on 16-year-old Stella Berry in Perth's Swan River last month, the Western Australian Government is moving to expand its shark tagging program to include estuaries.
Berry died after she was bitten by a shark while swimming near the Fremantle Traffic Bridge in North Fremantle about 3pm on 4th February. Her death was the first fatal shark attack in the river in 100 years.
Testing by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) confirmed the presence of bull shark DNA as part of the investigation with the test results having been provided to the Coroner's Office for its report.
The Western Australian Government’s successful shark tagging research program will be expanded to include bull sharks and monitoring in the Swan Canning Estuary.
The Bull Shark has also been called the River Shark, Freshwater Whaler, Estuary Whaler and Swan River Whaler with the species growing to a length of 3.4 metres. The Bull Shark is one of the few sharks that are potentially dangerous to people and is probably responsible for most of the shark attacks in and around Sydney Harbour.
The species is also the only widely distributed shark that stays in fresh water for long periods of time to feed and breed. Females sometimes give birth in river mouths where the young will live for up to five years.
The Western Australian tagging program currently focuses on white sharks which present the greatest risk in southern waters. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has tagged a total of 163 white sharks with 10 tagged this season as part of its Shark Monitoring Network.
The expanded tagging program to include adult bull sharks and more receivers will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the movements of these and other sharks which may be present in the estuary, which is critical to informing what mitigation measures may prove effective.
WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch shared "I think [Stella Berry's death] heightened the issue in the public's mind.
"DPIRD has not previously tagged any bull sharks as part of the State Government's Shark Monitoring Network program.
"We know that bull sharks are capable of living in both marine and fresh water and, they give birth in estuaries and river mouths during the warmer summer and early autumn months.
"It is important to gain a better understanding of shark movements and numbers in the Swan Canning Estuary, while also providing useful information to inform WA's shark hazard mitigation efforts.
"The risk of a shark attack is not high, it's incredibly low. But these attacks do happen and that's why we're putting everything in place that we possibly can do … to advise the public when there is a heightened risk."
DPIRD will work with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to build on its current research program that includes tagging and tracking movements of juvenile bull sharks in the Swan Canning Estuary.
Tagging of adult and juvenile bull sharks will operate in the summer and autumn periods.
Assessments are also underway to identify suitable locations for the deployment of three acoustic receivers in order to track shark movement and volume. The devices, costing approximately $25,000 each, would have a detection range of 500 metres in ideal water conditions and when connected to the existing network, will provide near real-time notifications of tagged shark activity via the SharkSmart WA app and SharkSmart website to the community.
The WA Government is also continuing to work with local governments along the Swan and Canning rivers on other mitigation strategies including the installation of swimming enclosures at popular swimming spots. The City of Melville has commenced planning to install a swimming enclosure at the Bicton Baths near Fremantle.
WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby added "the expansion of the tagging program will help researchers learn more about the movements of bull sharks and build an evidence-based approach to shark mitigation in our estuaries.
"The Swan and Canning rivers are a recreational playground. This program will help Western Australians better understand the risks and improve community safety."
Beach, estuary and river users are encouraged to download the SharkSmart WA app to stay informed. It is also very important for anyone who sees a shark to report it to Water Police immediately on 9442 8600.
Image. Bull Shark. Credit: The Australian Museum
25th February 2023 - City of Fremantle explores shark barrier options
4th November 2022 - SharkSmart WA app hits 100,000 downloads milestone
26th September 2022 - $5.1 million delivered for Western Australia’s shark mitigation strategies
28th July 2022 - Surf Life Saving Queensland given $6 million to expand trial of shark spotting drones
22nd June 2022 - Fremantle community support enforced shark fishing ban
21st April 2022 - Three new next-gen shark monitoring receivers installed on Busselton Jetty
21st February 2022 - New shark fishing rules introduced for Fremantle beaches
18th October 2021 - Shark Warning System upgrade to boost safety for Western Australia beaches
22nd September 2021 - NSW Government boosts budget to deploy world’s largest shark management program
28th April 2021 - Council calls on NSW Government to remove shark nets from Sydney’s northern beaches
16th November 2020 - SharkSmart WA app reaches 30,000 downloads in 12 months
17th October 2020 - Two new-generation shark monitoring receivers deployed at Western Australia’s Bunker Bay
31st August 2020 - Shark monitoring receivers to be introduced at Western Australia’s Bunker Bay
27th April 2020 - Western Australia’s shark SMART drumline trial to be extended
18th February 2020 - Shark drumlines returned to Far North Queensland beaches within Marine Park
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as Vivaticket Pty Ltd. Vivaticket is the ideal strategic partner for the organisation and management of your…
read more
Gianni Mattoli Director 0412 360 378 E: gianni@mattoli.com.au E: marketing@mattioli.com.au Tony Aloi National Operations Manager 0425 762 864 E: tony@mattoli.com.au MEL · SYD · ADE…
read more
Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums. Led from Queensland, AAT has delivered aquarium projects in over 25…
read more
ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…
read more
Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…
read more
HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…
read more
With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!
