What considerations are there for choosing a location of a barrier install?

The overarching ethos of the SharkSafe barrier is that we will not undertake an install if there is a risk to protected ocean eco-systems!

Questions in considering a barrier installation are amongst others:

• Where is the busiest beach, is this going to be a part of the selection criteria? 

• Are you going to cater for swimmers and surfers?

• How many stakeholder groups will need to be engaged?

• Is the selected beach going to have adequate facilities, if by installing a barrier, the beach’s popularity increases?

  • Parking

  • Ablutions

  • Surf Lifesaving presence 

• What is the beach ‘degree of complexity’ with regard to the possible installation mechanics:

  • Seabed type

• Barrier end fixing points

• What positive ‘spin-offs’ will the permanent barrier have to one beach vs. another?

  • Tourism advantages

  • Snorkeling ‘tours’ / Underwater art like Busselton in WA?

  • All year-round safety for local ‘all season’ sports

• Will a long-term / permanent barrier interfere with any long-term infrastructure plans?

• Are there any ecological or subsea heritage issues with the planned location?