Shark monitoring receivers to be introduced at Western Australia’s Bunker Bay

August 31, 2020

The deployment of two Shark Monitoring Network receivers at Bunker Bay in Western Australia has been approved by the WA Government along with the installation of a land-based alert tower following a shark attack at The Farm surf break on 31st July.

Bunker Bay is located within the Margaret River Wine Region and is protected by the rocky outcrops of Cape Naturaliste.

While the most recent incident shark attack was not fatal, an earlier attack back in September 2011, at another popular Bunker Bay surfing break, resulted in the tragic death of 21-year-old body boarder Kyle Burden.

The two new receivers, which are scheduled for deployment in October, can detect tagged sharks up to 400 metre away and will provide the best coverage option for Bunker Bay.

Once online, the receivers will expand Western Australia's Shark Monitoring Network to 34 locations - nine of which have been added by the State Government, including four along the Esperance coast and three near Gracetown.

As with Esperance and the coastal zone for the SMART Drumline Trial, a shark warning system will be installed on a beach site, between the two new Bunker Bay receivers.

The City of Busselton will operate the tower's lights and sirens, which can be activated to alert water users when a tagged shark is detected or if there is a reported shark sighting.

The estimated cost of the two new receivers is $150,000 while the alert tower will cost $15,000 to install.

WA Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley notes "the chance of shark encounter in WA is low, but we want all water users to stay safe.

"The WA Government supports a wide range of initiatives to keep beach-goers informed on shark activity via the SharkSmart WA App and website and Surf Life Saving's Twitter service.

"We are doing more than ever to keep you safe at the beach and as the weather warms up over spring, we remind everyone to switch on their Sea Sense and take good care. You can find out more on the Sharksmart WA app or the Sharksmart website.

"I am pleased to approve two new Shark Monitoring Network receivers for Bunker Bay and appreciate that the City of Busselton will take on the job of locating the Shark Warning System and the ongoing operations of the tower to add another layer of safety for beach users."

Image: Shark captured on film at Bunker Bay in 2015 courtesy of Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter

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27th April 2020 - Western Australia’s shark SMART drumline trial to be extended

7th April 2020 - Parks and Wildlife Service ranger dies after shark attack off Queensland’s North West Island

11th March 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society highlights endangered shark facing extinction

18th February 2020 - Shark drumlines returned to Far North Queensland beaches within Marine Park

14th December 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society condemns NSW Government for slashing endangered shark protection

12th December 2019 - Conservation groups call for action on Australia’s endangered sharks

28th October 2019 - Western Australian Government launches Shark Smart WA app

26th February 2019 - Margaret River Pro to remain on World Surf League schedule despite shark fears

12th February 2019 - Smart Shark Management drumlines trialled across Sydney beaches

11th December 2018 - Shark receivers to be installed at Western Australian beaches

22nd September 2018 - Tiger sharks killed in wake of Whitsundays tourist attacks

21st September 2018 - Two injured over consecutive days in Whitsunday shark attacks

8th May 2018 - Calls for Western Australian Government to introduce ‘serious threat’ shark policy

20th April 2018 - Kelly Slater advises of shark fears as Margaret River Pro surfing row deepens

18th April 2018 - Shark attacks prompt cancellation of Margaret River Pro surfing event

18th March 2018 - NSW shark net trial kills endangered marine life

12th October 2016 - Western Australian Government to trial shark-spotting surveillance drones

10th June 2016 - Western Australian Premier says shark attacks impacting tourism and way of life

31st January 2015 - New app to help swimmers avoid sharks

21st January 2014 - Western Australian Government abandons plans for private fishermen to shoot sharks off Perth beaches

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