Local Liberal politicians have welcomed a proposal to deploy 176 SMART (Shark Mitigation and Research Tools) drumlines off the West Australian coast.
Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg announced on Tuesday a plan to roll-out SMART drumlines between Quinns Rock in Perth’s north, and Prevelly near Margaret River.
It’s a proposal which Federal Canning MP Andrew Hastie and State Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup have welcomed, saying it would significantly cover Secret Harbour through to Port Bouvard.
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“In the last 25 years there have been 17 fatal shark attacks in WA; more than anywhere else in the country,” Mr Hastie said.
“The federal government’s plan to deploy drumlines off the WA coast has a proven track record in the eastern states.
“It should be adopted by the state government to protect people in WA.”
The plan would cover about 260 kilometres of coastline with about 80 per cent of WA’s population living within 30km of the proposed protected areas.
The cost is expected to be between $5 and $7 million, which Mr Frydenberg said should be borne by the WA Government “as shark management is the primary responsibility of state governments”.
“Given the high incidence of shark attacks in Western Australia and the recent release of a CSIRO report into great white shark numbers off the west coast of Australia, now is an opportune time for the Western Australian Government to take further steps to protect its citizens from shark attacks,” he said.
“Deploying the SMART drumlines in the locations outlined by the Commonwealth would be a significant and welcome step forward.
“Following a discussion between myself and WA Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly on 30 May, the Commonwealth committed to providing Western Australia with a list of potential sites where SMART drumlines could be deployed.
“This list has been provided to the Western Australian Government.”
Mr Kirkup said the State Government must accept this offer if it has any interest in trying to protect human lives.
“The State Government has a responsibility to do all it can to mitigate the risk of shark attacks on people who use our oceans, especially those in Mandurah – a community which is based largely around the ocean and estuary,” Mr Kirkup said
“With this offer from the Federal Government, there is no excuse for the Premier to sit on his hands any longer.
“We have had too many attacks, and there is too much fear in our community to ignore the use of smart drum lines.
“SMART drum lines are widely used in the Eastern State’s where they are supported by State Labor Government’s and even Greens MPs.
“They are supported because in the main they aren't lethal to sharks, they allow for greater research into the species and have been seen to protect local beaches because they intercept sharks before they can get close.”