New Shark Tagging System For Perth Beaches

April 30, 2009

Release from: ABC News Online (Australia)

A monitoring system which tracks White Pointer sharks off the coast of Perth could soon be used to warn swimmers if sharks are nearby.

A network of acoustic receivers was deployed off metropolitan beaches last year to monitor 100 tagged sharks.

The Department of Fisheries says the aim of the program is to learn more about the behaviour and movement of sharks.

Research scientist Rory McAuley says the system could also become a public safety tool.

"We'll be able to provide alerts to public safety agencies and officers when a tagged shark does turn up close to a populated beach," he said.

The West Australian Government has given the program a $120,000 dollar grant to upgrade the monitoring equipment to satellite technology.