Shark enclosure for popular Adelaide beach to prevent deadly attacks

A SPATE of shark sightings on western beaches has prompted a move to install a $400,000 shark enclosure.

A SPATE of shark sightings on western beaches has prompted Port Adelaide Enfield Council to take steps to install a $400,000 shark enclosure at Semaphore beach.

There have been at least seven sightings of sharks at Semaphore, Grange, Henley Beach and West Beach reported in the past month.

The council has taken action on advice from shark expert and Flinders University Associate Professor Charlie Huveneers and will present a proposal to install the $400,000 enclosure next to the jetty at an upcoming meeting.

Under the council’s plan, the net could be installed as early as next June.

Professor Huveneers told the council that tracking of bronze whalers showed that Semaphore was a hot spot for activity.

Mayor Gary Johanson said the council had been forced to act to protect swimmers at Semaphore.

“The chance of getting attacked is remote but this will keep swimmers safe,” Mr Johanson said. “What price do you put on safety?”

An endangered great white shark breaches the water.

It is not the first time Mr Johanson has floated the proposal — he first raised the idea in 2015 — but the latest sightings have put the move back on the agenda.

Last week, the council held a workshop with Professor Huveneers, who advised that “an adequately deployed and maintained shark enclosure which physically separates sharks and humans is one of the only ways to completely mitigate shark interactions” as the sharks are physically separated from people.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation manager, Dr Mike Bossley, said the success rate of shark nets in reducing shark attacks was “controversial” and he was concerned about dolphins getting caught in them.

“Shark nets, depending on the type, can produce substantial bycatch of non target species, including dolphins,” Dr Bossley said.

However, the council said it was looking at installing a hard structure that would not cause other wildlife to get entangled.

Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club president Mick Kenny said he did not know enough about the implications of a shark cage to support it but that it may make it easier to keep watch over a larger number of people.

“It would allow us to monitor a larger number of people with the limited resources we have,” Mr Kenny said.

Shark nets off the Central Coast shoreline, in NSW.

The council has said it will now consider the types of barriers, safety, cost and maintenance before a decision is made on whether to progress to the next stage which would include engagement with State Government and the local community.

Mr Johanson said an enclosure would also help to prevent drownings because people would be more likely to swim within it and the smaller space would be easier for surf lifesavers to monitor.

Henley Ward Cr Robert Randall said various nets had been investigated across coastal areas and were a good idea, especially at Henley Beach.

“I have seen them in other locations across Australia,” Mr Randall said.

“They provide an enclosed area where people can go and swim, for example the Henley Jetty, with a net around it that would make them feel comfortable.”

Fellow Henley councillor Jassmine Wood said a shark net around Henley Jetty was needed.

“I would welcome one because there is an alarming number of shark sightings in the Henley area lately,” Ms Wood said.

“It is quite a worry when it is quite a family-oriented destination and it would just give parents the confidence to allow their children to swim without fear of attacks.”

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