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Shark-infested Perth beach closed after 61 sightings in 12 weeks

A risk to water users at Trigg beach was reported after 61 shark sightings in two months.

A risk to water users at Trigg beach was reported after 61 shark sightings in two months. Photo: Getty

The Department of Fisheries has closed one of Perth’s most popular beaches to set capture gear after more than 60 shark sightings since early June.

Trigg Beach was closed overnight as drum lines were positioned off the coast, following 61 sightings from June 6 to August 25.

The majority of the sharks were seen between Mettams Pool to Watermans Bay, a 2km stretch of beach.

It was “apparent that a risk to water users in the Trigg to Hillarys area exists”, Fisheries said in a statement on Thursday.

“Species have been reported as white sharks, bronze whaler sharks or as unknown species, of various sizes.

“This represents an unprecedented number of sightings over a sustained period of time and in a small stretch of water.”

It comes after a shark warning was put in place in July, after 24 sharks were detected in a similar stretch of beaches between North Beach and Mettams Pool.

The species spotted have been reported as white sharks, bronze whaler sharks or as unknown species, of various sizes.

The beach was reopened to the public at 7.30am on Friday.

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