SHARKS responsible for attacks on surfers or divers should be tagged for research or caught on “smart” drum lines, shark attack survivor Alex Travaglini says.

The 37-year-old father-of-two, who was bitten on both legs by a 4m great white shark while surfing a break called Cobblestones near Gracetown on Monday, was up and about on crutches at Royal Perth Hospital yesterday and said he could be released as soon as today .

“I’d like to understand a bit better before I make conclusions, but the least they should do is tag the shark, monitor it and see if it comes into shore again and if it coincides with another shark attack,” the Margaret River surfer said, as beaches around Gracetown reopened for the first time since the attack.

Camera Icon Photographer Peter Jovic took the images of shark attack victim Alejandro Travaglini. Credit: Ross Swanborough

“From the first day I woke up in hospital and suddenly found myself in the limelight, I realised I wanted to do something positive with this situation I’m in.

“Smart drum lines seems like a good option as well, much better than a cull.”

So-called smart drum lines involve the use of baited hooks to catch a shark before the animal is towed well out to sea and released. A trial in NSW has had some preliminary success but the science of smart drum lines is yet to be proven, and the WA Government has so far not committed to testing the technology here.

Mr Travaglini also said workshops for surfers to learn how to use a surfboard leg rope as a makeshift tourniquet — which ambulance paramedics said saved his life, thanks to the quick thinking of surfers who came to his rescue — would be worth funding.

His calls come as:

HIS partner Tanya Hawthorne spoke about the ordeal and said she wanted Mr Travaglini to return to the water when he recovered. “I told him I’m going back to Margaret River to sell all of his surfboards. He just laughed. He will get back in the water. It might be a bit of a process to get there but it’s what he lives for, it’s his passion. He loves it,” she said.

SHARK Shield, the WA company making electronic shark repellent devices, offered to create an electronic “shark exclusion zone” in the ocean to ensure next year’s Margaret River Pro goes ahead. Company owner and WA businessman Lindsay Lyon said he was writing to both Surfing WA and the World Surf League to offer his anti-shark technology for free because he did not want the State to lose its biggest international sporting event, after the cancellation of this year’s event due to shark fears.

FISHERIES Minister Dave Kelly said it was “not practical or possible to have beach enclosures at every surf break or dive location” along the WA coast, and ultimately those who went in the ocean needed to “take some responsibility for their own safety”.

Mr Travaglini, who is facing months of rehabilitation but said he was confident of making a full recovery, also wants to meet the makers of electronic shark deterrents and discuss whether the devices could be improved.

Cowaramup Bay Boardriders president Peter Cawood said the community “wanted action” and one way to improve safety was to have shark attack medical kits including tourniquets at shark hot spots.

Mr Cawood also called for more first aid courses for surfers, more shark tagging, more tagged shark detection buoys for South-West beaches and consideration of smart drum lines.

Surf photographer Peter Jovic, who watched in horror from shore as the attack unfolded, agreed the medical kits could help save lives.

“The guys used leg ropes because it was all they had, whereas a tourniquet is easy to apply and probably more useful to stem the bleeding,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kelly urged surfers to make use of a $200 Government subsidy for electronic shark shield devices.

“If you see a shark, report it, if a beach is closed, don’t go in the water, and if you surf or dive, protect yourself by using an accredited personal shark deterrent device,” Mr Kelly said.