Abalone Fishers Warned To Adhere To Iluka Beach Closure This Sunday

Media Release
20 November 2009 54/2009

Abalone fishers warned to adhere to Iluka beach closure this Sunday

Recreational abalone fishers are being asked not to fish an area south of Burns Beach at Iluka
this Sunday, because it has been closed due to the potential shark hazard from a rotting whale
carcass.

Warning signs are in place and rangers from the City of Joondalup, as well as officers from the
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), will be onsite to warn people of the risk
from the break up of the whale carcass and body fluids that could attract sharks.

Department of Fisheries' Regional Manager, Metropolitan, Tony Cappelluti said the abalone
season this Sunday would only run from 7 to 8am and during that time fishers should go to other
reef locations and not to the beach area, which has been closed by the City of Joondalup.

"Safety is our primary consideration in asking abalone fishers to avoid this section of reef at
Iluka on Sunday, so we ask them to adhere to the council closure," Mr Cappelluti said.

"Surf Lifesaving WA has advised us that their helicopter will be up early and patrolling metro
beaches during the abalone season, to monitor the coastline for shark activity and warn of any
identified hazards at other popular abalone fishing locations.

"Anyone who sees a shark should report it to Water Police on 9442 8600."

Mr Cappelluti said the whale carcass has been caught in rocks, at a location that has been
inaccessible for authorities and he was aware that DEC was continuing to explore every possible
option to see if there might be a way to remove the remains of the whale.

"The City of Joondalup has advised that they have closed the beaches in the vicinity of where the
whale carcass is lodged and along the coast between Shenton Avenue and Silver Sands Road, in
Iluka," he said.

"While the carcass is in the area and breaking up or leaking body fluids, it could potentially
attract sharks, so anyone using beaches north and south of the specific closure area should
remain alert and be mindful of their own safety at all times.

"Animal waste in the water, or in a position close to the tidal range where attractants can enter
the water, heightens the risk of sharks being in the area and that is a key message for us,
however, people should be mindful that sharks are a part of our marine environment at all
times."

More shark safety information is available on the Department of Fisheries website at
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/SharkBeachStrategy/index.php?0000.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ashley Malone Ph: 9203 0357
Media Liaison Officer Mobile: 0418 901 767



Report all suspected illegal fishing activity to FISHWATCH 1800 815 507