The South Australian government, in coordination with Surf Life Saving SA, has announced a comprehensive $500,000 initiative aimed at enhancing shark mitigation strategies along the state’s expansive coastline. This funding boost is designed to ramp up beach safety, through a variety of educational and surveillance measures, to better protect beachgoers this summer.
The new action plan is a response to valuable community feedback and the recommendations made by the Shark Taskforce—established earlier this year after the state witnessed several fatal shark attacks. The task force’s aim was to scrutinise and upgrade the current shark mitigation strategies.
The fresh investment will sponsor a range of proactive measures in coastal communities, particularly in regional areas. Key funded initiatives include Coastal Risk Assessments, new signage, the provision of Trauma Kits, and the acquisition and operation of drones. There will also be considerable support for educational programs within regional schools.
In addition, the funding will facilitate the extended operation of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service. This expansion means more comprehensive coverage at community aquatic events across the regions from Robe to Whyalla. Notably, this includes the upcoming Long Cally Swim at Robe. Continual aerial surveillance will also be maintained during popular metropolitan community swims such as the Brighton Jetty Classic and the Jetty to Jetty Long Swim from Grange to Henley Beach.
Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, said, “Our mainland coastline is as long as those of Victoria and New South Wales combined – and our response must reflect South Australia’s vast and often remote conditions.” She added that the grant would enable a range of measures that will “better educate and equip regional communities for the risks of shark interactions.”
Dan Cregan, Minister for Emergency Services, said “Additional support will play an important part in keeping our beaches as safe as possible this summer.
“Conducting helicopter patrols at more community events will help deliver rapid responses when a potential threat is detected.
“The Government is acting on advice to build on existing shark mitigation measures in place which can improve safety and are appropriate for our state’s conditions.”
The CEO of Surf Life Saving South Australia, Damien Marangon, remarked on the initiative’s proactive approach. “This initiative is a proactive effort to enhance safety in South Australia’s most vulnerable coastal areas – those remote and high-risk locations where the need for targeted shark mitigation measures is greatest,” he said. Marangon expressed that the focus was directly on addressing the concerns of regional communities and ensuring their safety and well-being.
The initiative will also continue the current practice of daily fixed-wing aerial shark patrols across higher-risk beaches, which resumed this month and will run until the end of April 2025. The patrols cover metropolitan beaches from North Haven to Rapid Head and include additional weekend surveillance on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
This action by the South Australian government to further collaborate with Surf Life Saving SA and expand existing shark mitigation strategies marks a significant effort to safeguard not only the residents but also the numerous visitors to South Australia’s famed beaches.
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