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Government of Western Australia
Acknowledgement of Country

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country, the Aboriginal people of the many lands that we work on and their language groups throughout Western Australia and recognise their continuing connection to the land and waters.

We respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of our regions and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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  1. Home
  2. Staying Safe
  3. Recreational Boating and Fishing
recreational boating
© Karel Stipek / iStock

Safety tips for recreational fishers and boaters

Stay SharkSmart when boating and fishing in Western Australia

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Be a SharkSmart fisher

  • Don't dump fish waste or leftover bait overboard, near boat ramps or popular swimming beaches. Fish heads, frames offal and leftover bait can attract sharks and impact other beach users

  • If there is no bin available, take your fish waste home and use to fertilise your garden or freeze and dispose of in your regular rubbish collection

  • Fish frames (skeletons) of certain species can be donated for research to the Send Us Your Skeleton Program

  • Don't feed sharks or other marine life

  • Don't fish or clean fish in popular swimming areas

  • Never chum or berley in areas where people swim

  • The use of mammal and bird products as berley is not permitted

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Safety tools

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Beach Emergency Numbers
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SharkSmart WA App
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Beach & aerial surveillance
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Shark monitoring network
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Introduction

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Two people swimming underwater in clear blue sea, sunlight creating ripples on the sandy bottom.
© Tourism Western Australia
Swimming safety tips
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Five snorkelers in wetsuits swim in clear turquoise ocean waters, with flippers visible, exploring beneath the surface near a dark coral formation.
© Tourism Western Australia
Snorkelling and diving safety tips
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Two people kayaking in an orange kayak on a calm lake, with boats and houses on a tree-lined shore in the background.
© Tourism Western Australia
River safety tips
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Shark research staff leaning over a boat, using a tool to tag a white shark in clear blue water under a bright sky.
Shark research staff leaning over a boat, using a tool to tag a white shark in clear blue water under a bright sky.
Shark research staff leaning over a boat, using a tool to tag a white shark in clear blue water under a bright sky.

Technology

Advanced monitoring systems

WA uses acoustic tags, aerial surveillance, and a receiver network to provide early warnings of shark activity to beachgoers.

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Fishing with wire trace

Is prohibited within 800 m of the shore at all metropolitan beaches from Tim's Thicket Beach to Two Rocks north, including all waters of the Swan-Canning Estuary, the Busselton Jetty and foreshore, and Esperance Jetty.

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Emergency

Report shark sightings immediately

Your quick report to Water Police on 9442 8600 can help save lives by alerting other water users to potential dangers in your area.

Report Now

Help other water users stay informed by reporting shark sightings to Water Police on 94428600. Public sightings are vital for authorities to provide public safety warnings that may help save peoples' lives.

Image for Help other water users stay informed by reporting shark sightings to Water Police on 94428600. Public sightings are vital for authorities to provide public safety warnings that may help save peoples' lives.
© Tourism Western Australia
Two men on a boat fishing in turquoise waters; one holds a fishing rod, the other handles a gaff as a fish nears the surface.
© Tourism Western Australia
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Mobile App

SharkSmart on your phone

Get instant push notifications about shark activity, beach safety features such as Surf Life Saving WA patrolled beaches and weather forecasts, to help you plan your trip to the beach.

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