Father of shark attack victim's plea 'to prevent the next tragedy'
The father of a shark attack victim has pleaded with governments to put politics aside and work together to prevent more shark attacks in WA.
Leon Brouwer, the father of WA’s most recent shark attack victim Laeticia Brouwer, has called on the Premier to “take action and prevent the next tragedy”.
His call was in response to the WA government’s latest rejection of smart drum lines off the WA coast.
17-year-old schoolgirl Laeticia Brouwer was killed by a great white shark off Esperance in early 2017.
Since 2000 there have been 15 fatal attacks on swimmers, divers and surfers up and down the WA coast.
Many more have suffered serious injuries but lived.
“It’s time for the West Australian government to act and now we have given them a plan to do so,” Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said.
That plan is to install 176 smart drum lines from Quinns Rock to Prevelly Beach – a curtain of hooks to catch sharks.
Smart drum lines send a signal when a shark is hooked and a shore crew tow it out to sea and release it.
It’s based on a New South Wales model the federal government claims has saved lives.
But WA Premier Mark McGowan has not signed up for the plan.
“There is no scientific evidence, no scientific testing behind it that indicates it would work,” Mr McGowan said.
Instead, the WA government is sticking with its policy of encouraging personal shark deterrent devices to protect swimmers.
Mr Brouwer told Seven News drum lines are part of the solution, saying they wouldn’t “solve” the problem but with research and tagging, will help the surfing community.
