Shark spotter for SW

Surf Life Saving WA has a new weapon in the fight against shark attacks on South West beaches.

Picture by Jon Gellweiler: Surf Life Saving WA beach services coordinator Matt du Plessis proudly stands by their new surveillance helicopter.

A South West helicopter service, based in Dunsborough, is providing a daily aerial surveillance between Bunbury and Margaret River.

The service was funded by the Department of Fisheries WA and has been in full swing for just over a week.

SLSWA beach services coordinator Matt du Plessis has been in charge of the intense training of the crew of five for navigation skills and surveillance.

Mr du Plessis thinks the service has the potential to save lives, with the helicopter already spotting 10 sharks since the first patrolon November 26.

‘‘As we are up in the air for three hours a day, flying up and down the coast, we can spot sharks, rescues and people in difficulty,’’ he said.

‘‘The helicopter has special siren capabilities to warn beachgoers of potential threats and get them out of the water quickly.

‘‘It’s actually helped us with our operations by having more operations on our beaches and it’s better for the whole community.’’

Mr du Plessis said the initiative would run until the end of January, and if successful, would become a regular service.

‘‘The service has been recently set up due to the recent shark fatalities along the coast,’’ he said.

‘‘We will be approaching and having a chat to the government afterwards to see where the future lies with the service.’’

In addition to the daily aerial patrols of the coastline, two new lifeguard posts have been added at Bunker Bay and Myalup Beach as part of a $1.98 million funding boost by the State Government.