THE state government has expanded its shark monitoring network to Geographe Bay and Busselton Jetty.
Fisheries minister and Vasse MLA Troy Buswell launched the expansion project at the Geographe marina today.
He said the project was part of a long term research project which would help the department better understand the movements of white sharks, tiger sharks and whale sharks off the coast of WA.
“These satellite linked monitors provide near real time alerts of tagged sharks in close proximity to the receiver,” he said.
The research program costs $3.7 million and is funded for two years.
Mr Buswell said it would provide the public as well as the department’s research invaluable knowledge about sharks.
There about 136 great white sharks tagged, 200 whale sharks and 20 tiger sharks.
The monitors will be located about 600 metres from the beach and have a range of 400 to 500 metres.
Department of fisheries principal shark researcher Rory McAuley said the world class technology was able to detect sharks from beneath the service.
“Other countries use satellite technology which means the sharks have to break the surface for them to be monitored,” he said.
