It’s an instantly recognisable, iconic Australian coastal scene: a warm, sunny day under a cloudless blue sky. The beach is dotted with umbrellas and towels, with kids playing happily at the water’s edge. Swimmers are doing laps between the groynes, body surfers are catching waves, and others are simply enjoying the feeling of being in the ocean.
Above, the reassuring hum of a Surf Lifesaving WA helicopter reminds us that someone is watching out for us. The regular patrols up and down the coast are there to help make people feel safe but also serve as a reminder of what might be ‘out there’.
Fear vs. facts: understanding shark perceptions and policy responses
The chances of encountering a shark in the water are incredibly slim, yet it remains one of our greatest fears. Dr Leah Gibbs, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Wollongong, has spent years studying our perceptions of sharks and the government’s policy approaches toward shark safety.
Her research was largely prompted by a spate of shark fatalities that occurred off Western Australia in 2011, and the public ‘hysteria’ that followed in the media. The state government at the time reacted quickly to the perceived increased risk of sharks by instituting a catch-and-kill program, along with a trial use of baited drumlines. These actions were highly controversial, affecting not only sharks but also other ocean species. The trial was abandoned after two years, in 2021. SMART drumline technology was proven to be ineffective in catching white sharks and “provided no demonstrable value in reducing the potential risk posed by white sharks in the South West,” according to WA chief scientist Professor Peter Klinken.
Meanwhile, according to Dr. Gibbs, there was no scientific evidence that the key species identified as dangerous to people in Australia (white, tiger, and bull sharks) were actually increasing in numbers. The increase in sightings was due to more helicopters in the air searching for sharks, more people on more beaches keeping an eye out, and, of course, the attention given to sharks by social media and increased coverage in the regular media.
Minimising risk, maximising confidence: the role of beach enclosures
Surf Life Saving Australia’s annual National Coastal Safety Survey (2024) found that about 16.6 million people visited the coast that year (a total of around 600 million individual visits), and there were nine shark attacks, but no fatalities. Dr Gibbs says the number is, on average, 1.1 people per year over the past five decades. Thus, there is a massive disparity between the number of people entering the water and the number of individuals killed in encounters with sharks. This suggests that our chances of an encounter while in the ocean are incredibly slim. Even so, our fears of what lies beneath eclipse these facts. It doesn’t matter how many times we’re told we’re more likely to get struck by lightning or even die from a champagne cork; that fear remains.
While the risk of a shark attack is low, the West Australian State Government has implemented one of the strongest, evidence-based shark mitigation programs in the world, allowing West Australians to continue enjoying the beach and ocean with confidence. These measures include beach and aerial surveillance, shark tagging, and the SharkSmart WA app. Another important element of this program is the installation of safe swimming beach enclosures.
Several LGAs in WA have already received assistance from the state government to install a safe swimming enclosure at their local beach, providing a physical barrier to reduce the, albeit tiny, risk of shark interactions with swimmers while ensuring that marine life remains unharmed.
Sometimes known as a shark barrier, these enclosures aim to provide peace of mind for beach users and serve as important destination creators for coastal and riverine local governments. However – and this is a significant point – not all swimming enclosures are alike. Factors such as design, construction methods, materials, and installation techniques all affect durability, effectiveness, affordability, sustainability, and the impact the net has on marine life and the ocean environment.
Enclosures by Safer Swimming Australia (SSA) have been used for years in places like Busselton and Dunsborough. They are proven to be both long-lasting and cost-effective, and they cause no harm to marine life or seagrasses.
Safer swimming for all: custom beach enclosures that protect and enhance
SSA’s custom swimming enclosures are designed and manufactured to accommodate the specific coastal movements of the selected beach. They are specifically crafted to avoid harming marine life, and low-impact anchor points minimize disruption to the ocean floor. They ensure swimmer safety, meet all environmental and sustainability standards, and can offer your LGA a cost-effective means to transform your local beaches into safe and inviting places where swimmers and families can confidently enjoy the ocean. Safer Swimming Australia constructs enclosures that are robust, durable, and long-lasting, easy to install, can be repaired on-site if required, and can be removed in winter for cleaning. Additionally, a safe swimming enclosure provides a clearly defined area for easier supervision, which is a bonus for parents.
While avoiding interactions with sharks is a significant reason to install a safe swimming enclosure, the risks are minimal and the advantages are substantial. Safer Swimming Australia is committed to providing coastal councils and shires with cost-effective, safer, and more attractive spaces for their communities. All our details are on our website, and we’re happy to chat!
Sources:
https://www.uow.edu.au/the-stand/2016/why-are-we-scared-to-go-in-the-water.php
Australian Shark Incident Database | Taronga Conservation Society Australia
https://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/shark_hazard/shark_mitigation_strategy.pdf