The City of Stirling could be stepping up shark mitigation across its 7.5km coastline, with enhanced drone patrols, artificial intelligence detection technology and additional resource options to be explored.
The council backed a motion from Cr Tony Krsticevic at Tuesday night’s meeting for a report to be presented to the community and resources committee on November 24 investigating potential measures to improve shark hazard mitigation.
It also added a requirement to investigate the feasibility, cost, funding options, environmental impacts, maintenance and suitability of installing a shark barrier at Scarborough Beach, which will also including consultation with Surf Life Saving WA, State agencies and relevant coastal management agencies.
The call comes amid growing concerns about shark attafcks along the WA coastline, with three fatal shark attacks in just four months. Greg O’Neill was the most recent victim. The 61-year-old father was attacked by a great white shark at Sorrento Beach in September.
The attack triggered a rare catch-and-kill order, but the shark was never located.
Cr Krsticevic raised the issue after preliminary discussions with members of the Trigg Surf LifeSaving Club.
“Given the popularity of locations such as Brighton Beach, Mettams Pool, Scarborough Beach, Trigg Beach and Watermans Bay, the city experiences significant visitations throughout the year,” Cr Krsticevic said.
“Shark attacks across the WA coastline have seen a significant increase over recent years.
“I had some preliminary discussions with a few members of the Trigg Surf Lifesaving Club about what more the City of Stirling can do to improve the safety of their members and all beach users along our coastline.”
The investigation will examine the city’s current shark mitigation and safety measures, as well as additional strategies and resourcing that could be implemented.
Options could include enhanced drone surveillance, AI-assisted shark detection, improvements to their existing shark monitoring network, and more patrol and surveillance resources.
Shark barriers, which were part of the motion, would also be considered. But officers warned they were unsuitable for exposed surf beaches such as Scarborough, Trigg and Brighton because of heavy swells, strong currents and powerful wave actions.
The city’s beach services team currently operates seven days a week, 365 days a year, conducting shoreline and ocean observations using jet skis, inflatable rescue boats and four-wheel drive vehicles.
They also respond to shark sightings, issue public safety warnings and implement beach closures.
Trigg Island and Scarboro surf lifesaving clubs use drones during volunteer patrols and trained operators are available.
City officers also said further measures would need to be investigated and costed, with collaboration from key agencies expected to be essential to determining what could be implemented.
The State Government recently announced an additional $5 million for shark mitigation, which includes funding for more helicopter patrols, beach and drone patrols, expanded shark tagging and 10 more shark monitoring receivers.
A further $200,000 has been allocated to assess alternative drone technology and operational models to determine if they could provide an additional layer of shark surveillance at beaches.