Renewed calls for smart drumlines off WA Coast

The federal Environment Minister is again pushing the state government to invest in smart drumlines and prevent shark attacks in WA waters.

The State Opposition has urged the McGowan Government to begin a trial of SMART drumlines after it was revealed the trial would cost twelve times less than the figures previously quoted.

The call has again been echoed by federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg, who said the WA government needs to protect beachgoers from shark attacks.

"In Queensland and New South Wales they've had one fatal shark attack in more than 50 years where they have protected drumlines and nets. So clearly Western Australia should be doing more," he said.

Shadow Minister for Tourism Libby Mettam said federal estimates have shown the real cost of a trial would be approximately $5-7 million, much less than the politically inflated estimate of $75 million suggested by Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly. 

“Based on publicly available tender documentation from the NSW SMART drumline trial the estimated cost of purchasing, maintaining and operating the 176 SMART drumlines is around $5-7 million for a six month period," she said. 

"Given this information, Mr Kelly must explain why he put the figure at $75 million.

"Mr Kelly must explain why he fobbed off a SMART drumline trial without explanation, without consideration and without discussion with stakeholders."

The West reports Minister Frydenberg wants 180 drumlines installed in an area between Margaret River and Quinns Rocks for the trial. 

But Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said the measure was too expensive and not backed up by scientific research, with the state government to foot the entire bill for the trial. 

"Based on the costings for a full year it would cost $14 million between Perth and Margaret River," he said.

"If you then add in communities such as Albany and Esperance you're getting an annual cost of close to $20 million."

Ms Mettam said earlier this year the McGowan government declined an offer from the New South Wales Government to utilise five SMART drumlines to trial in WA.

"The NSW SMART drum line trial is currently tracking 251 White Sharks, 60 Bull Sharks, and 36 Tiger Sharks, and the preliminary results from the white sharks that have been caught, tagged and relocated one kilometre under the SMART drum lines system show their immediate response is to move away from the coast for several weeks," she said.

"The Minister [Dave Kelly] can no longer sit on his hands saying the subsidies on a personal shark deterrent is enough to make people feel safe, particularly when it is extremely limited.

“This is a public safety issue, it is having a significant impact on our way of life and it is time the McGowan Government took the issue seriously."