Wilson McShane , Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Surfers are calling for improved safety at Yorke Peninsula beaches to help limit the number of shark fatalities.
The push comes after Elliston Council on Eyre Peninsula installed shark bite first-aid kits at four popular beaches following several attacks last year, including two fatal ones, in the region.
The $140 kits contain more than a dozen life-saving apparatuses, first-aid fact sheets, emergency-contact details, and instructions on how to apply a tourniquet, control severe bleeding, and do CPR.
Yorkes Junior Surf Club president Brian “Squizzy” Taylor said installing similar kits at YP beaches could play a crucial role in saving someone’s life.
“There’s many approaches to it, but I think starting with something at the actual surf break, like a firstresponder’s kit, is a really good resource,” Mr Taylor said.
“The surfing community would really appreciate any help.”
Because southern YP was so isolated, other surfers in the water played a crucial role in saving someone’s life if an attack happened, he said.
“That’s the thing about South Australia, there is not a lot of good surf that’s on the doorstep of where everybody lives.”
“If something happens, it’s pretty well left to the people at the surf.”
Now was a great time for kits to be introduced, with the premier local surf competition the Yorkes Classic on next month, and the popular tourist season approaching, he said.
Mr Taylor’s son, fellow surfer Corey Taylor, said shark-bite kits were a fabulous idea.
“Obviously from previous events we do have the risk of shark attacks and fatalities,” he said.
“So being able to have a shark medical kit on the beach gives us, as surfers, an advantage to helping any surfers or swimmers who might be involved in the unlikely event of being attacked.”
Having this sort of preparation may also help to encourage more tourists, he said.
“People knowing there’s just that little bit extra of care will encourage more surfers from town and even daily beach people.”
“I believe it would be a great idea and I would be honoured to help the idea come to life.”
YP Council mayor Darren Braund said he was not opposed to installing shark-bite kits at YP beaches, but would like to garner community feedback before taking any further action.
Last year there were 10 deaths from shark attacks across the world, with three of these in South Australian waters — the highest of any region in the world — including one death on YP.
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 23 July 2024.
