A shark warning has been issued for waters between Dunsborough Beach to Bunker Bay, near the town of Dunsborough, after an increased number of reported shark sightings.
Situation:
In the past 10 days there have been 22 shark sightings in the area between Dunsborough Beach and Bunker bay in the town of Dunsborough.
Of these sightings eight of the sharks were reported to be larger than three metres.
On Wednesday, April 25 at 2:56pm, a 3.5 metre unknown species of shark was sighted at Bunker Bay.
On Tuesday, April 24, lifesavers reported a 2.5m unknown species of shark at Bunker Bay and a public report was received of a 3.5m white shark at Meelup Beach.
On Monday, April 23, a public report was received of an unknown species of shark, sighted at Bunker Bay and lifesavers reported two 3.5m unknown species of sharks at Castle Rock.
On Saturday, April 21, the Surf Lifesaving WA (SLSWA) helicopter reported 2 x 2.5m unknown species of sharks at Bunker Bay.
On Friday, April 20, the SLSWA helicopter reported a 2.5m unknown species of shark at Bunker Bay.
On Thursday, April 19, the SLSWA helicopter reported 5 x 2.5m unknown species of east of Bunker Bay and a public report was received of a 4.0m white shark 2km offshore from Dunsborough Beach.
On Wednesday April 18, the SLSWA helicopter sighted a 3.0m unknown species of shark Point Picquet and the helicopter spotted a 2.5m unknown species of shark east of Bunker Bay.
On April 16, a public report was received of a 3.0m tiger shark sighted at Bunker Bay, the SLSWA helicopter reported a 2.5m unknown species of shark at Bunker Bay Beach and a 4.0m tiger shark at Dunsborough and also a 3.0m tiger shark at Dunsborough Boat Ramp.
On April 15, the helicopter reported a 3.5m tiger shark at Dunsborough Boat Ramp.
It is possible that the frequency or duration of the recent reported sightings may increase the likelihood of encountering a shark in this area.
What to do:
Obey beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers or Surf Life Saving WA.
Take extra caution in the Dunsborough to Bunker Bay area.
Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the SharkSmart website or Surf Life Saving WA’s Twitter feed.
If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to response agencies and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed.
What authorities are doing:
Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will continue to patrol this area and will monitor the situation. There will also be daily patrols over the area by the SLSWA helicopter.
Extra information:
It is not uncommon for sharks to be present off the coast throughout the year.
Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the Shark Activity Map on the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity or the Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – twitter.com/SLSWA.
Check sharksmart.com.au/news for current alerts and warnings.
