CALLS are growing for the WA Government to put its “serious threat” shark policy into action, where big sharks that attack people and pose an ongoing danger at beaches are killed.

Debate about ocean safety continues to rage in the South West after two shark attacks last month, and ahead of a planned rally at Parliament House on Wednesday and a series of shark safety public meetings in Gracetown and Mandurah later this month.

The “serious threat” policy introduced in 2017 means that sharks — including protected great whites — can be killed by Fisheries officers in “exceptional circumstances” .

These include if they are responsible for an attack and continue to linger at a beach posing a public threat, and if other attempts to remove them have failed.

The catch and kill laws have not been used since the McGowan Government came to power, but a growing number of ocean users want the policy to be enacted after an attack.

Among them is the Cowaramup Bay Boardriders club based at Gracetown. Club president Peter Cawood said committee members had met, and while “we certainly don’t want a cull”, the club wants sharks responsible for an attack and continuing to pose a danger to be caught and killed.

Mr Cawood said the club was also calling for a shark-spotting tower at Lefthanders, receivers to detect tagged sharks in Cowaramup Bay and at Lefthanders, and a trial of “smart” drum lines. It is also planning education and first-aid sessions for members.

Opposition sharks spokeswoman Libby Mettam said WA’s seaside surfing communities wanted the serious threat shark policy put into action.

“If a shark has attacked a person we should expect that the Government responds by issuing an order to take that animal rather than talk about divers and surfers taking responsibility for their own actions,” Ms Mettam said.

Alex Travaglini, the 37-year-old surfer who fought off a 4m great white near Gracetown last month, said there needed to be a more “comprehensive approach” after an attack, including tagging and taking DNA samples, and for police to be involved in post-attack investigations.

Sea Shepherd managing director Jeff Hansen said better beach signage, personal shark repellent devices, and medical kits at beaches were the best ways to save lives.

Rick Fletcher, executive director of fisheries at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said after the two Gracetown attacks its focus was on public safety, including advising people in and on the water about what had occurred.