Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) helicopters are back in the skies as they patrol the Perth and South West WA coastline watching for sharks.
The aerial patrols began on Sunday, September 1, and will run until April 30, 2025.
In a statement, WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch says the patrols are an “important” part of the government’s Shark Hazard Mitigation Strategy.
“Crews spent almost 1000 hours in the sky, patrolling popular Perth and South West beaches in the 2023-24 season,’’ he says.
In a separate statement, SLSWA General Manager of Lifesaving, Chris Peck says the helicopters play an essential role.
“The helicopters can provide coverage to beaches where we cannot deliver on-beach patrols, including many locations in our southwest, and their ability to cover large areas of the coast quickly makes them a valuable asset in delivering safety outcomes.”
He said last season, they were involved in 27 search and rescue missions and were instrumental in rescuing a stranded fisherman off Carnac Island in March.
The service reported a 46% increase in shark sightings and a 42% increase in the number of beach users cleared from the water due to an alert issued by the helicopter.
“We know that the helicopters play an integral role in minimising shark and beach user interactions, demonstrated by the volume of sightings and resultant clearances over recent seasons,” said Mr Peck.
The Shark Hazard Mitigation Strategy recently received a $17.3 million four-year boost in the State Budget, of which $12.6 million was for the SLSW helicopter patrols, a communication systems and frontline safety services like jet ski response teams.
Perth metropolitan aerial patrols cover the coast from Yanchep to Mandurah (including Rottnest Island). South West patrols range from Bunbury south to Hamelin Bay.
Anyone who sees a shark should report it to Water Police immediately on 9442 8600 and quote the unique code of the closest Beach Emergency Number (BEN) sign. Beachgoers are also encouraged to download the SharkSmart WA app.
