The WA government has imposed a ban on fishing for sharks at Perth beaches amid concerns it puts swimmers at increased risk of attack by the predators.

October 25, 2023

Shark fishing has been banned from all Perth beaches amid concerns it attracts the predators to popular swimming spots.

WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch approved restrictions to prohibit the use of wire trace – which is essential to land sharks – within 800 metres of the shore at all metropolitan beaches.

“Fishing for large sharks from metropolitan swimming beaches is simply incompatible with community values and community safety,” he said on Wednesday.

“This reform is simple, effective, easy to understand and most importantly puts community safety first.”

The restrictions come into effect on November 3 and prohibit shark fishing gear within 800m of the shore.

The ban extends from Tim’s Thicket south of Perth, north to Two Rocks, including all waters of the Swan-Canning Estuary.

Perth recreational angler Guy Saayman said the new restrictions make sense.

“If you’re going shark fishing you have to chum up the water with a whole lot of muck and that attracts them to the beaches and they hang around,” he said.

“If people want to go shark fishing grab a boat and head offshore, that’s the best way.”

Mr Punch said he was concerned some local governments had created their own recreational fishing restrictions to address shark fishing after a teen was killed by a Bull Shark in the Swan River earlier in the year.

He said these were inconsistent with state government fisheries policies and confusing for recreational fishers to follow.

“There is now absolutely no need for any local government to attempt to regulate this space and I call on local governments to rescind their local laws aimed at doing so,” he said.

The government is also working with local governments along the Swan River on other safety strategies, including the installation of a beach enclosure at Bicton Baths in the City of Melville, near Fremantle.