Conservationist backs shark research

Rockingham shark conservationist Ross Weir has welcomed the findings of State Government-funded University of WA research into shark deterrents, saying Shark Shield's electrical devices were the cheapest and easiest method to keep the predators away from humans.

As the founder and president of West Australians for Shark Conservation, Mr Weir was pleased to hear the university's neurology group had said the Shark Shield electrical devices had a significant effect at deterring a range of shark species, including tiger and white sharks.

"It really is the first line of defence ocean users can use to protect themselves," he said.

"However, the Government should invest in the technology to make sure more people can afford them."

Mr Weir called for more research into wider-scale projects to be deployed at popular swimming or surfing locations.

Shark Shield managing director Lindsay Lyon said while independent research into the technology had been available since the late 1990s, the UWA study was "fantastic news" and "reaffirmed with more clarity how it works" to deter sharks and stingrays and disproved the myth it attracted sharks.

As for a wider-scale deterrent, Mr Lyon said studies were under way into an underwater fence, where electrodes would be placed about 4m to 6m away from each other, creating an electrical barrier between the devices.

Leaving personal interests aside, he supported Mr Weir's suggestion that the $600-plus devices should be subsidised as part of the State's shark hazard mitigation strategy.

UWA's research needs to be peer reviewed and is due for release later this year.