SHARK PATROLS

In reply to the Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (7 December 2006).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning): Shark sightings by the UNISA shark patrol are reported directly to the South Australia Police Communications Branch from the spotter aircraft via a mobile telephone through the '000' emergency call network.

The appropriate Local Service Area police patrols are directly despatched on this information and a number of other agencies notified including the Water Police and STAR group.

On the day in question (6 December 2006) police communications received three reported sightings from the air observer. Two of the sightings related to the same near location off Brighton/Glenelg foreshore and were treated as the same incident. The second report concerned the foreshore off of Tennyson and West Lakes.

As a result of these reports, police uniform and supervisory patrols were despatched at a high priority and were 'on scene' within 7 and 10 minutes for each of the respective incidents. The Glenelg event used a total of four police patrols and the West Lakes incident two.

People on the beaches and in the water who were considered in potential danger were notified of the shark reports.