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A new study has cast doubt on anecdotal claims of a jump in shark numbers off WA's coast, flaring renewed debate over whether the state needs to boost measures to protect swimmers.
According to research published today by the CSIRO, there is no evidence of an increase in the number of great white sharks off the WA coast over the past decade.
The CSIRO study estimated there are 1,460 adult white sharks as part of the south-western population, which covers an area stretching from WA's mid-west to western Victoria.
"The trend has been stable for the past 10 to 15 years," lead study author Dr Richard Hillary told ABC Perth.
Researchers were not able to estimate the juvenile population, however.
Fatal shark attacks in WA since 2000
- Surfer Laeticia Brouwer: Kelp Beds, Apr 17, 2017
- Diver Doreen Collyer: Mindarie, Jun 5, 2016
- Surfer Ben Gerring: Mandurah, May 31, 2016
- Spearfisher Jay Muscat: Cheynes Beach, Dec 29, 2014
- Surfer Chris Boyd: Gracetown, Nov 23, 2013
- Surfer Ben Linden: Wedge Island, Jul 14, 2012
- Diver Peter Kurmann: Geographe Bay, Mar 31, 2012
- Diver George Wainwright: Rottnest Island, Oct 22, 2011
- Swimmer Bryn Martin: Cottesloe Beach, Oct 10, 2011
- Surfer Kyle Burden: Bunker Bay, Sep 4, 2011
- Surfer Nick Edwards: Gracetown, Aug 17, 2010
- Snorkeller Brian Guest: Port Kennedy, Dec 27, 2008
- Snorkeller Geoffrey Brazier: Abrolhos Islands, Mar 19, 2005
- Surfer Brad Smith: Gracetown, Jul 10, 2004
- Swimmer Ken Crew: North Cottesloe, Nov 6, 2000
But Dr Hillary said the south-western adult population was bigger than that in the east.
The eastern Australian adult white shark population was estimated to be 750, just over half of that in the south-western area.
The Federal Government seized on that finding to argue for WA to revisit the drumline policy, introduced by the previous government but later abandoned.
"These results, along with the high number of fatal shark attacks in WA, make a compelling case for the WA Government to take a more proactive approach to protect the public," Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg told a local newspaper.
Former Premier Colin Barnett, whose government introduced the drum line policy, conceded last year that the concept had not worked.
That policy was abandoned following a public outcry, while the Environmental Protection Authority also recommended against an extension of the policy.
No drum lines for WA: Kelly
WA Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly insisted drum lines would not be revisited because the McGowan Government's new mitigation policy was working well.
"We are putting in place measures that the science actually says makes us safer," Mr Kelly said.
"We are very happy and very willing to put in place measures that will actually work.
"But drum lines and a shark cull — people don't believe that will work, there is no science to show they will work."
Mr Kelly announced the Government's shark mitigation plans last May, with the main feature a subsidy for shark deterrent devices.
Nearly 1,500 devices have now been purchased through that scheme.
The CSIRO study used DNA collected from juveniles to estimate the size of the adult population.
Topics: shark, animal-attacks, science-and-technology, animal-welfare, animals, wa