A significant time lapse between a teen being mauled by a shark and an alert being issued to the public has prompted a plea for attacks to be quickly reported to police.
Key points:
- Members of the public are urged to report shark sightings or incidents to police
- The plea comes after a delay in notifying the public about a shark attack in Albany
- Fisheries staff are urging water users to use electronic shark deterrents
Luke Pascoe, 17, was spearfishing at Mistaken Island near Albany on Monday when what he believed was a 5-metre great white shark bit his leg.
He is recovering in hospital after the incident and praised his friend Conner Shirley for carrying him 2 kilometres across rocks to a vehicle.
However, it took until midday on Tuesday for an official alert about the attack to be publicly broadcast.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Shark Response Unit manager Graeme Meinema said it was crucial people reported sightings and incidents to water police immediately.
"All we ask initially is that as soon as anything like this occurs, our whole mitigation package is built around that initial public alert," he said.
"We can't reiterate enough as soon as anything like this happens, make that initial public report to the water police."
Mr Meinema said he understood Luke and Conner were rushing to hospital running on adrenaline and likely forgot to report the incident immediately.
He said an alert was then sent to many departments and the public once the incident was reported.
"[A report] will allow us to prevent any further interactions as soon as we possibly can, that can include beach closures and getting Fisheries officers down there," he said.
Shark deterrents encouraged
Mr Meinema said from Luke's report it was likely the shark was attempting to eat the fish the teen had snared.
"Likely the shark was actually after the fish and unfortunately Luke's leg got in the way," he said.
Deterrents such as shark shields are available with government subsidies.
Mr Meinema urged water users to consider purchasing an electronic deterrent.
"We implore as many people as possible going into the water in that area and remote area particularly to make sure they get hold of these units ... they are scientifically proven," he said.
Mr Meinema said Fisheries staff would interview Luke and asses his bite marks to help identify the shark.
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2022-08-17 05:28:25Z
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