Consultation starts on non-lethal drum lines
Consultation has started for the proposed trial of non-lethal smart drum lines off Gracetown and extending the WA Government’s shark monitoring network.
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said residents would guide the location of drum lines and satellite receivers, with feedback open until October 10.
The move follows long-running calls for a trial in the region, though surfers from Yallingup as far as Falcon want in on the trial too.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s working proposal considers either 12 drum lines along 9km of the Gracetown coast, or 10 drum lines deployed 500m from shore along 11.5km.
“We want to have the non-lethal smart drum lines in the water as soon as possible,” Mr Kelly said.
“However, we won’t be repeating the mistakes of the previous government and cut corners.
“We want to make sure that this is a well-planned and transparent non-lethal trial.”
The South West Safe Shark Group has said it wanted the trial to take in the Ellensbrook and Umbies surf breaks.
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