Fisheries officers are trying to catch a tagged great white shark in Warnbro Sound after it was been deemed an imminent risk to public safety.

In a statement released this afternoon, Fisheries said it had “sent vessels to investigate” and deployed drum lines after the shark had come within 1km of the shore of consecutive days.

Beaches in the area around Warnbro Sound have been closed and authorities have urged people to show “increased caution” if entering the water there.

The decision comes despite the fact the shark was only fitted an internal tag during the past two years.

Rick Fletcher, the department’s acting director general, said the shark first set off receivers in the area almost a month ago.

“The department has monitored the movement of the white shark in the Warnbro Sound area since late November, and has been closely monitoring it for the past two weeks,” Dr Fletcher said.

“The initial pattern of detections of this tagged shark combined with the mitigation strategies did not warrant further action.

“However there has been an increase in the number of day-time detections on consecutive during the lead up to Christmas, and school holidays combined with warm and sunny weather, people are more likely to be in the water using the beaches, fishing and diving.

“The decision to remove the shark has been made under the State Government’s guidelines for the take of a shark posing a serious threat to public safety.”

According to Dr Fletcher, the department had taken “numerous” other measures to protect the public from the shark including notifications through social media and the State Government’s website sharksmart.com.au.

The department said beaches would remain closed until further notice.