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Safety procedures for UWA divers have been reviewed after the recent spate of fatal shark attacks off WA beaches.

More than 30 researchers frequently dive and snorkel as part of their work and hundreds of students take part in underwater surveys and studies each year.

In late July, following the most recent shark-related death, of a surfer at Wedge Island, the University Diving and Boating Safety Working Group met, with other interested people, to discuss shark-related risks.

Warren Starr, Diving and Boating Safety Officer at the UWA Oceans Institute, said the University would adopt the Department of Fisheries' requirements of not conducting diving activities within 10 nautical miles and 72 hours of a confirmed shark sighting.

"This is not an official Government recommendation, but we think it's a conservative practice to follow," said Starry (his preferred name).

He reported to the University Safety Committee last month that the working group had also mandated the wearing of electronic shark devices unless a site-specific risk assessment was made which determined they were not required.

The electronic devices are worn by individual divers or snorkelers and claim to repel predatory sharks.

"We have always recommended that our people wear them, but now that recommendation is pretty much an onus on the user to prove why they shouldn't wear it," he said.

"While the studies on their effectiveness are inconclusive, there is enough positive evidence for us to require divers to use them," Starry said. "And the general public is keen on them too. They are on back order at most dive shops in Australia."

The University's Safety and Health website has more than 20 documents and forms on its diving and boating safety page, including procedures manuals, planning processes, registration forms for divers and snorkelers and fieldwork check lists .

Recently added to this site is a link to Surf Life Saving's Twitter feed on recent shark sightings.

"This is the recommended place to go for up-to-date information on shark sightings," Starry said. "The Police, Fisheries and others all feed their information to Surf Life Saving and it goes live to this site."

Ryan Kempster, shark expert and PhD scholar at the Oceans Institute said his research has showed that shark shields did not guarantee safety.

"The best way to protect people is through education. People need to be aware of the times of day and conditions under which attacks are most likely to occur," he said.

Ryan has listed information and tips to help people reduce the risks from shark attack. More information can be found on his website, www.supportoursharks.com

Ten things you need to know about sharks

• Sharks have ruled the oceans for more than 400 million years and play a vital role in the sea's overall health.
• 30 per cent of all shark and ray species are threatened or near threatened with extinction.
• Only three shark species have global trade protections under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) - Great white shark, basking shark, and whale shark.
• Up to 73 million sharks are killed each year primarily for the global shark fin industry.
• Hong Kong's market accounts for about 50 per cent of the global trade of shark fins.
• Bees, wasps, and snakes each kill more people every year than sharks.
• Sharks do not see in colour but rather respond to contrast.
• Sharks help maintain balance in marine ecosystems. Their decline can lead to the collapse of commercially important fisheries.
• Sharks are extremely vulnerable to overfishing due to slow growth, late maturity and few offspring.
• Eating shark is bad for your health due to the high levels of toxic mercury they contain.

Ten tips to avoid a shark attack

• Swim at beaches that are patrolled by Surf Life Savers.
• Do not swim, dive or surf where dangerous sharks are known to congregate (ie: near seal colonies).
• Always swim, dive or surf with other people.
• Do not swim at dawn, dusk or at night.
• Do not swim dive or surf in dirty or turbid water.
• Avoid swimming well offshore, near deep channels, at river mouths or along drop-offs to deeper water.
• If schooling fish start to behave erratically or congregate in large numbers, leave the water.
• Do not swim with pets and domestic animals.
• Do not swim near people fishing or spear fishing.
• If a shark is sighted in the area leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible.

(See also Opinions )

Published in UWA News , 3 September 2012