Safe to go in the water? State’s real-time shark warnings
A new online service has been launched aiming to help people know in real time when it will be safe to get back on the water.
Authorities in South Australia have revamped a website that allows beachgoers to notify others if they believe they have spotted a shark.
The service allows people to report when they spot a shark, and their reports are instantly broadcast in real time.
The reports are then reviewed by Primary Industries and Regions Agency (PIRSA) staff to allow duplicate or inaccurate records to be removed.
The PIRSA statement about the change includes the following statements: “This development makes it easier for beachgoers, fishermen and boaters to stay informed about the latest shark activity in their area.
“If you see a shark, report it immediately to keep everyone informed.
Stickers, which include a QR card linking to the report page, have also been placed at various coastal locations, including selected tackle shops.
The page has seen a number of reports made by both the public and South Australian Police since its launch.
The last report was made at 12.30pm on Friday, April 10, with a report submitted by the police office of an unknown shark off the coast of Aldinga.
Other reports include a sighting of what is believed to be a thresher shark at Port Moorowie on April 7 and a suspected white shark sighting at Robe off the Limestone Coast on April 5.
This comes just days after a 16-year-old surfer reported being bitten by a shark at Middleton Beach over the Easter weekend.
Oliver Tokic-Bensley told ABC news he felt lucky he didn’t lose his footing in the incident.
“I felt something hard, I almost jumped when it caught me, then I kicked my foot and thank God it didn’t hold on to me,” he said.
