A terrifying encounter with a shark off Mandurah’s coastline on Sunday has renewed the push for the state government to adopt state-of-the-art drumline technology.
The coastal city was thrown into panic when news came through that 20-year-old Albany bodyboarder Noah Symmans had been bitten was on the leg by an unknown species of shark.
Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup watched on as the chaos unfolded at off Pyramids Beach on Sunday.
“Like most Western Australian's, I was particularly shocked to see that yet another shark attack had occurred off our coastline,” he said.
The attack was the third off that section of coastline in in the past three years, which includes the tragic death of local surfer Ben Gerring off Falcon in 2016.
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“Very disappointing” was how Mr Kirkup best described the government’s approach to Shark Management Alert in Real Time (SMART) drumlines and mitigation tactics in WA.
Since the incident, Mr Zirkup has revived his calls that Mandurah be including the SMART drumline trial the state government is conducting in Gracetown and Esperance.
However, WA Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly has hit back at the MP and stuck to his party’s stance that they didn’t see the merit in automatically deploying drumlines.
“If Zak Kirkup and the opposition were serious about improving safety in our oceans they would stop discouraging surfers from purchasing a scientifically proven personal shark deterrent and encourage their NSW colleagues to provide us with the full data set from their SMART drumline trial,” Mr Kelly told the Mandurah Mail.
“We have already committed to a trial of SMART drumlines in Gracetown to assess if this technology is effective in reducing attacks.
“Key water user groups Surfing WA and Surf Life Saving WA support our Gracetown trial, and our comprehensive shark mitigation strategy.”
If Zak Kirkup and the opposition were serious about improving safety in our oceans they would stop discouraging surfers from purchasing a scientifically proven personal shark deterrent and encourage their NSW colleagues to provide us with the full data set from their SMART drumline trial.
- WA Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly
Mr Symmans man was paddling near the Wedge break when the creature latched onto his calf, leaving him with four puncture wounds.
In the adrenaline-pumping moments, the Great Southern man managed to pull himself up to the rocks and signal for help.
The young man was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital by the RAC rescue helicopter where he was treated for his injuries.
A day prior to the attack on Mr Symmans, the minister had announced a suite of new measures as part of the McGowan Government's enhanced comprehensive shark mitigation strategy.
The “world-leading” strategy included partnering with Surfing WA to educate surfers on how to keep safe, undertaking a new Independent Scientific Advisory Panel on Sharks, enabling the development of a new SharkSmart app, collaboration across government whale carcass management and refreshing the SharkSmart website.
Mr Kirkup remained firm that more more needed to be done to protect beaches.
“When I wrote to the Fisheries Minister, Dave Kelly, requesting that Mandurah be including the SMART drumline trial the state government is conducting, I received a very disappointing response. Dripping with condescension and arrogance that shows no care or regard for the people of Mandurah and the impact that shark attacks are having on our community.
“This was not a response fitting of a minister.
“Enough is enough, more needs to be done.”
When I wrote to the Fisheries Minister, Dave Kelly, requesting that Mandurah be including the SMART drumline trial the state government is conducting, I received a very disappointing response - dripping with condescension and arrogance.
- Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup
Following this week’s incidents, Mr Kirkup has decided to hold a community meeting at Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday at 9.30am.
“I am asking all members of the community who are worried about the increased number of shark attacks off our coast to come along and have their say about what to do next,” he said.
Several people at the scene told the Mandurah Mail the attack was particularly concerning as children were participating nearby in the Mandurah Board Riders’ Junior Summer Series.
Grommets were due to take to the water less than 10 minutes after authorities were informed of the attack.
The beach was closed for the 24 hours after the attack as crews patrolled the area.
The Department of Fisheries will continue to investigate what species of shark attacked Mr Symmans.
What to have your say on mitigation tactics in WA? Email our team via editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Follow Caitlyn Rintoul on Twitter via @caitlynrintoul.
