Latest news with #SharkSmart
West Australian
27-05-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Shark warning system offline: Alert tower at Lefthanders carpark in Gracetown not working due to tech issue
Surfers and water users in the Gracetown area at Lefthanders carpark should not rely on the shark warning system. The land-based tower at Lefthanders has a technical fault and is offline. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said that the other shark warning systems in the area were working. A maintenance crew will be on site to repair the tower as soon as possible. Take additional caution if you are planning on being in the water at Lefthanders. Adhere to beach closures advised by local government rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers and Surf Life Saving WA. If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and @SLSWA on X. Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website , download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – . Check for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Shark warning system down at popular South West beach
Surfers and water users in the Gracetown area at Lefthanders carpark should not rely on the shark warning system. The land-based tower at Lefthanders has a technical fault and is offline. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said that the other shark warning systems in the area were working. A maintenance crew will be on site to repair the tower as soon as possible. Take additional caution if you are planning on being in the water at Lefthanders. Adhere to beach closures advised by local government rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers and Surf Life Saving WA. If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and @SLSWA on X. Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – Check for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.
West Australian
21-04-2025
- General
- West Australian
Shark Alert: Turtle carcass floating in water near Whaling Cove Beach near Albany sparks SharkSmart alert
A large turtle carcass that was found washed up on Whaling Cove Beach on Monday morning has sparked a shark alert for the area. McKail resident Lata Wright said she spotted the body of the decaying turtle against the rocks when she arrived at about 10am on Easter Monday. She said she did her best to alert authorities and beachgoers of the potential danger the body, which measures more than a metre long, posed. 'At times it didn't move, then it looked like it would move against the tide for a minute or so,' she said. 'We tried many organizations to get someone to come out and look and move it, as being Easter and lots of tourists in town, we didn't succeed, eventually the ranger came out and put a 'wildlife in this area' sign, whatever that means. 'We left just before 12 noon and even though we warned people, there was many people snorkeling and swimming metres away from it, and there is many sharks about with the salmon at the moment.' A shark alert was posted on SharkSmart at 1.21pm, warning people to avoid the area as the carcass may attract sharks. A spokesperson for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said the City of Albany was handling the incident.
Perth Now
21-04-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Turtle carcass sparks shark alert at Whaling Cove Beach
A large turtle carcass that was found washed up on Whaling Cove Beach on Monday morning has sparked a shark alert for the area. McKail resident Lata Wright said she spotted the body of the decaying turtle against the rocks when she arrived at about 10am on Easter Monday. She said she did her best to alert authorities and beachgoers of the potential danger the body, which measures more than a metre long, posed. Ms Wright said the beach was still busy was swimmers when she left at midday. Credit: Lata Wright 'At times it didn't move, then it looked like it would move against the tide for a minute or so,' she said. 'We tried many organizations to get someone to come out and look and move it, as being Easter and lots of tourists in town, we didn't succeed, eventually the ranger came out and put a 'wildlife in this area' sign, whatever that means. 'We left just before 12 noon and even though we warned people, there was many people snorkeling and swimming metres away from it, and there is many sharks about with the salmon at the moment.' A shark alert was posted on SharkSmart at 1.21pm, warning people to avoid the area as the carcass may attract sharks. A spokesperson for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said the City of Albany was handling the incident.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- The Independent
Drone catches final moments of surfer mauled to death by shark in front of girlfriend
Authorities are desperately trying to find the body of a surfer who was mauled to death by a shark in front of his girlfriend in Western Australia. New Zealander Steven Payne, 37, was killed by a shark while surfing with his partner at Wharton Beach on the south west coast. Mr Payne was in chest-deep water about 50 metres from shore when the attack took place on Monday. But his shocked partner and other onlookers could do nothing as they heard his screams. Authorities rushed to the remote beach around midday, shortly before closing the beach and starting a search. The rescue quickly turned into a recovery mission when drone footage of the attack taken by a member of the public was shared with police. Mr Payne's surfboard was found with bite marks, but authorities are yet to locate his body. Western Australia Police Force Senior Sergeant Christopher Taylor said on Tuesday Mr Payne was with at least two surfers when he was attacked but there was 'nothing they could do, nothing'. Drone footage and witness accounts made it 'so obvious what had happened', the Sergeant added. The search resumed on Wednesday morning, with the surfboard due to be tested in the hope of identifying the species of shark responsible. The attack came just weeks into the couple's six-month trip around Australia with their dog. 'It (the drone footage) shows a lot of blood, the shark and some other things in there I don't particularly want to go into and I don't think anybody else needs to see other than maybe the coroner and some other experts who will determine the type of shark and size,' the Sergeant said, adding that the girlfriend was 'distraught'. 'Her life was turned upside down... You can imagine how she is, it's just horrible. It is heartbreaking obviously and the whole community of Esperance feels the pain - not as much as the family, they're distraught and trying to come to terms with what happened.' Mr Payne worked as a sales and marketing director in Melbourne and was a volunteer firefighter. He grew up in New Zealand busy Lower Hutt city and was known as a talented rugby player by his school friends. His family are believed to be on their way. Mr Payne was a 'really good lad' who had only moved to Melbourne in recent years, one school friend told Australian TV channel 7 News. 'He was an incredible person who was always there for his mates,' another school friend told 7 news, adding that the news was 'devastating'. Mr Payne had dated his girlfriend for more than 10 years and had previously lived in Namibia. Witnesses reported seeing a 'massive shark' attack Mr Payne. Shark monitoring website SharkSmart also detected an unidentified species of shark minutes after the attack off the popular Esperance shoreline. There have been three fatal shark attacks in the area in the last eight years.
