THIS is the third instalment of Perth Waldorf School year 12 student Solomon Franklyn’s exploration of WA’s shark control strategies. This time he asked people what they were thinking when they dipped their toe in for a swim. There’s still time to participate in his survey:
AS PART of my exploration of shark attack risk and shark management systems, I conducted a survey of the Western Australians to gain a snapshot of public opinion on these matters.
In this article I will discuss my findings from the survey results and give a clear overview of the public’s thoughts and feelings toward our current and potentially future shark management systems.
The survey received 380 responses, with a very even spread of all ages, from under 18 to over 65.
The majority of participants in the survey use the ocean weekly (45 per cent), with the main reason for using the ocean being for swimming/leisure (54 per cent).
Has fear of sharks affected how the public uses the ocean? One in two people said that their fear of sharks had affected how they use the ocean, with some of the most common answers being: “I now swim closer to shore”; “I won’t swim alone anymore”; and “I no longer swim in the early or late hours of the day”. This indicates that fear of sharks, whether rational or not, is having a substantial impact on the ways that our community use the ocean.
Another key finding is that two out of three people think that the current shark management systems in place are not sufficient.
Should additional shark management measures be considered? Three quarters of participants answered “Yes”, with 74 per cent of those stating, “Yes, but only if there is minimal harm to the species.” These results suggest that the public feels that the current shark management measures along our coastline could be improved. The majority of respondents held the opinion that new shark management strategies should be considered and trialled in Western Australian waters, provided they prioritise the conservation of shark populations.
Nets
Out of all the respondents, only one in three think that the current management systems in place along our coastline (i.e. enclosed nets, Westpac helicopter, and SharkSmart app) are sufficient.
This shows that as a community we care greatly for our shark populations but also feel that more can be done for our safety in the water.
The majority of respondents believe that additional shark management should at least be considered.
As these findings display a clear stance for change, I believe this is a topic that should be further investigated.
Is this view limited to our small community or is it one that is held across all of Western Australia?
Further, if public opinion is an important part of public policy, should their views not be further investigated and play a meaningful role in informing decisions regarding shark management and ocean safety?
Next week in my fourth and final article, I will put forward the shark management system I believe could best suit Western Australia.
To determine the management systems I will be proposing, I’ve combined multiple sources of information, including the results from this survey, and the research I have done throughout the year.
One of the methods I will be proposing is a form of shark management that has never been trialled, but evidence suggests it could be the next step forward.