Wilson McShane, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Narungga MP Fraser Ellis has labelled a $500,000 shark safety initiative “city centric”.

Mr Ellis has expressed concern about the program which will fund Surf Life Saving SA to monitor beaches.

“It seems ridiculous there have been fatal shark attacks on Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula, yet a body with no footprint in either region is commissioned to shark proof the region,” he said.

“It feels city centric. We’re relying on someone who doesn’t know the area.”

The initiative, announced by the South Australian Government in November, includes trauma kits, risk assessments, signage, drones, drone operator training and school education.

Mr Ellis said he was sceptical of drone surveillance on YP, which has no yearround surf lifesaving clubs.

“Increased drone surveillance is beneficial, but it makes sense where there are surf lifesaving brigades,” he said.

“I can’t see how they’ll make it work where the shark attacks are and where they have no brigade or infrastructure.”

Mr Ellis raised his concerns in State Parliament on Tuesday, February 4.

“If it were up to me and I had an open cheque book, I’d embark on a significant shark tagging program,” he said.

This would help surfers track sharks’ whereabouts.

There have been four fatal shark attacks in South Australia during the past two years: one in the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park in December 2023 and three on Eyre Peninsula.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said SLSSA’s location would not impact how the government’s shark mitigation measures were implemented.

“The initiative will address critical gaps in public safety in regional coastal areas by prioritising high-risk sites and delivering tailored interventions,” she said.

SLSSA was currently working with District Council of Streaky Bay and would work with Yorke Peninsula Council later this year, she said.

“The State Government will continue to review these measures as they are delivered and consult with the community and stakeholders to ensure South Australia’s residents and visitors are educated and understand risks across our vast and remote coastline. 

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 11 February 2025.