The brother of a Mandurah man killed in a shark attack has called for the use of additional technology in mitigation strategies to “give people confidence to go back in the water.”
Popular surfer Ben Gerring lost his life after being attacked by a shark at Falcon’s Gearies Beach in June 2016, with the tragedy devastating the Mandurah community.
Mandurah Mail reported last week Shark Alert International (SAI) wanted to set up on our shores and use their cutting-edge technology in shark mitigation strategies.
This would involve the use of drones, unmanned planes and multi-spectral cameras to detect and track sharks – but the company needs State Government backing to set up in Mandurah.
Ben’s brother Rick Gerring has been a driving force in the establishment of Beach Emergency Numbers to allow emergency services to pinpoint distress calls and the increase in usage of personal shark deterrents.
However, he said the roll-out of more-advanced technology, such as that being proposed by SAI, was the next step.
“I have sat down with SAI – it is definitely revolutionary – it is new technology we haven’t seen before that can hopefully really make a difference out there,” Mr Gerring said.
“The implementation of personal shark deterrents was the right step forward at that time.
“But, that is obviously only one step – there is not one method that is going to solve our problem, there are multiple solutions.
“With the technology now available, we need to see what works and what doesn’t and how best we can implement it.
“With SAI’s drones being able to see through the water and the reflection, we would be able to see a bigger percentage of what we could before – that is an improvement on the current drones.
“It is only a good thing and I’d definitely like to see it rolled out. Obviously it isn’t going to go along the whole coastline but certain areas where there are a high percentage of people in the water, that’s where we should put these measures into place.
“The Government need to come up with an action plan for three months, six months, 12 months. What is our five-year plan?
“We don’t expect it all to happen at once – but lets start to make continual improvements to our strategies.”
Mr Gerring said shark attacks had shaken the confidence of the Mandurah community so much people were now afraid to get in the water.
“It has changed massively – after Ben’s incident, parents are saying to me that their kids were learning to surf and now they don’t even want to go swimming in the water,” he said.
“A lot of people have been put off. It is a real shame and something I definitely don’t want to see.
“I’m concerned that in coming years we could lose a whole generation where people don’t want to go in the water anymore whatsoever.
“In Mandurah, we live in one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.
“It is giving people the confidence to get back in the water. It has gone from having one attack every 20 years on average to one or two per year, plus we are seeing a greater number of interactions as well.
“People are really concerned about going in the water. We need to change that perception and put those mitigation measures in place to give people the confidence to go back in the water and enjoy what they love doing.”
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly has confirmed a meeting between State Government officials and SAI is scheduled for July.
Gareth McKnight
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
