Shark sightings force closure of Whitfords Beach for second day

Shark sightings are continuing to plague Perth’s northern suburbs beaches, with Whitfords beach closed again on Monday morning after reports of a medium-sized shark about 30m offshore.

It is the latest of multiple sightings at the beach over the past four days. It is unknown whether a number of sharks are behind the sightings or just one shark that keeps returning to the area.

Earlier on Monday a tiger shark was spotted at nearby Hillarys beach north of the marina. The shark was seen near the Whitfords nodes about 40m off shore and heading out to sea.

Whitfords beach was also closed on Sunday after multiple shark reports, with Fisheries officials urging people to stay out of the water at Whitford Beach and Pinnaroo Point, north of Hillarys Boat Harbour.

Authorities say it is possible that the frequency or duration of the recent sightings may increase the likelihood of encountering a shark in the area.

Graeme Meinema, Department of Fisheries spokesman, said members of the public had made numerous reports of sharks, ranging in size from medium to large.

“As to whether it is additional sharks or just the one shark and people are reporting it differently, we certainly err of the side of caution,” he told radio station 6PR.

“When we have those numerous sightings over numerous days we advise local government and surf life saving to make them aware and that goes out to the public ... so can have swim in area they believe to be safe at the time.”

Mr Meinema said this time of year there were more people out on the water, including rock lobster fishers, which meant more people were sighting sharks and calling it in.

He said sharks were attracted to rock lobster pots because they were attracted to the prospect of a feed from discarded bait.

“They go out and pull their rock lobster pots and obviously there are a lot of sharks out around those areas. That has become a bit of a learned behaviour from the sharks: The rock lobster fisherman pulls his pots and then throws the bait over the side so we have more and more people doing that.”

Mr Meinema said that as of December 31, 85 white sharks had been tagged since 2017. this season alone 21 white sharks had been tagged.

He said the tagging program not only helped authorities develop an understanding of shark behaviour but provided a warning to swimmers if the tagged sharks swam past any of the 35 receivers along WA’s coastline.

Surf Lifesaving WA has the power to close beaches that it patrols, closures on all other beaches are the responsibility of local governments.