A new report has found that great white shark numbers have decreased in WA.
The Commonwealth and Scientific Research Organisation (CSIRO) report found there was no increase in the south west population, part of which can be found off WA, and there had actually been a downward trend in adult numbers since the early 2000s.
In the report, CSIRO also reiterates the call from Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly for greater research into the south west population.
There are two distinct white shark populations in Australia, the eastern Australasian white shark population (New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand) and the south western white shark population (South Australia, Western Australia, western Victoria).
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said he had asked the Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg to commit more funding for research into the south western white shark population.
“Like so many other requests from WA, including a fairer share of GST, this request has been ignored,” he said.
“Now that Australia’s peak scientific body has also called for further research into the southern-western population, Josh Frydenberg can no longer ignore WA.
“Since coming into government, we have introduced a number of new shark mitigation measures based on new technology and science, including the use of drones and personal shark deterrents.
“We will continue to look at any new measures that are proven to actually make our beaches safer.”
