ABC Aerial surveillance of Perth beaches has started for the summer season. <\/p>\n
Two Perth beaches have been re-opened after the first shark sighting of the season, a 3.5-metre white shark 50 metres off Floreat beach. <\/p>\n
Surf Life Saving WA said the shark was tracking south, and that Floreat Beach and City Beach were closed as a precaution. <\/p>\n
The sighting comes as weekend helicopter patrols begin along the Perth coast for the summer season. <\/p>\n
The Surf Life Saving helicopter will fly between Dawesville and Two Rocks looking for swimmers in trouble, and for sharks close to shore. <\/p>\n
SLSWA's manager of aviation services Peter Scott said it is a busy time of the year for shark sightings, with a lot of whales and other marine animals in the area. <\/p>\n
\"We can provide some assurance and also we use the aircraft to verify sightings from the public as well, so we can try and identify if there is actually a shark there,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"But essentially it does provide that extra layer of comfort for everyone.\" <\/p>\n
WA Premier Colin Barnett said the patrols would increase to seven days a week from October 1. <\/p>\n
\"SLSWA plays a crucial role in protecting Western Australian beaches and it is vitally important to have the aerial patrols in place in time for the warmer weather,\" Mr Barnett said. <\/p>\n
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Perth beaches re-open after sighting of 3.5-metre shark on first day of aerial patrols<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ABC Aerial surveillance of Perth beaches has started for the summer season. Two Perth beaches have been re-opened after the first shark sighting of the season, a 3.5-metre white shark 50 metres off Floreat beach Continue reading