Western Australia adds $5 million to boost shark patrols and AI-drone research
Western Australia is allocating an extra $5 million to expand shark-tagging, increase helicopter and lifeguard patrols, and test AI-drone surveillance after recent fatal shark incidents.
Western Australia’s cabinet approved a $5 million boost to its shark-mitigation program, responding to a recent fatal shark attack at Sorrento Beach and a whale carcass that washed ashore at City Beach. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis outlined the spending: $2.3 million for expanded helicopter and aerial surveillance, $1.2 million for increased beach and drone patrols, and $800,000 to double the state’s shark-tagging effort managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
An extra $500,000 will fund ten more acoustic receivers that send real-time alerts to swimmers via the SharkSmart app. The budget also earmarks funds to evaluate AI-driven shark-spotting drones, similar to those used on the east coast, aiming to automatically detect shark species and coordinate multiple drones. Surf Life Saving WA president Heidi Gan welcomed the investment, noting three fatal attacks this year have eroded beachgoer confidence.
While rejecting calls for a shark cull, Jarvis emphasized providing information and choices to the public. Meanwhile, beaches in the Town of Cambridge stay closed due to elevated E. coli levels linked to the whale carcass, according to Mayor Gary Mack.
Why it matters
The funding aims to protect swimmers and restore confidence in WA’s beaches after deadly shark incidents.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTAll camps report the $5 million funding for shark mitigation, but left-leaning coverage stresses the minister’s rejection of a shark cull, centrist coverage highlights the budget breakdown and AI-drone research, while right-leaning coverage foregrounds the practical safety measures and real-time warning system.
LEFT
Focuses on the minister’s rejection of a shark cull and the fatal attack that prompted the spending
CENTER
Presents the funding increase as a detailed budget boost that includes AI-drone research and expanded surveillance
RIGHT
Frames the spending as practical public-safety steps, emphasizing tagging, real-time alerts and expanded patrols
The left emphasises
- "rebuffed calls to allow for “incidental” capture of great white sharks"
- "‘No appetite’ for shark cull"
- "horror fatal attack at Sorrento Beach"
The right emphasises
- "practical steps for public safety"
- "near-real-time warnings via the SharkSmart WA app"
- "expanded beach and drone patrols"
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