FEDERAL Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg has accused WA of not doing enough to protect ocean users from shark attacks.

Mr Frydenberg levelled the claim while repeating his invitation for the WA Government to submit proposals to introduce further shark mitigation measures which would require federal approval.

“I feel the WA government could do a lot more,” Mr Frydenberg told The Australian adding the Commonwealth had already given prompt approval for the use of shark nets in New South Wales.

Play Video Laeticia Brouwer, just 17 years old, was taken by a shark in Esperance, WA Laeticia Brouwer, just 17 years old, was taken by a shark in Esperance, WA

The reported criticism is an escalation of Mr Frydenberg’s signalling on Wednesday that he would welcome any proposal to keep ocean users safe, including shark culls.

“In light of the recent shark attack, the Commonwealth would welcome any proposal to protect human life first and foremost,” he said.

“This could include the newest drum-line technology, shark exclusion nets, culling or other measures which WA sees fit.”

But WA Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly has appeared to dismiss the invitation to take drastic steps such as shark culling, questioning how it would make beaches safer.

Speaking on radio Wednesday morning, Mr Kelly again focused on the State Government’s policy of subsidising personal deterrent devices such as shark shields, claiming the measure would make a “genuine difference”.

He said the policy, under which the Government will set aside $200,000 for $200 rebates, would help drive down the costs of the products by increasing demand.

“The objective of a subsidy in these circumstances is two-fold,” Mr Kelly told 6PR. “By giving these products a subsidy you increase the brand awareness that they’re out there because there are lots of people out there saying they can deter sharks.

“But which ones work?

“If they then get more market awareness and the number of sales increases then, like most things, the price will come down as volumes increase.”

In rejecting Mr Frydenberg’s offer Mr Kelly described it as a “disappointing” media ploy but he would call the Federal Environment Minister to “see what his thoughts are”.

“Even if you accept that there are more great whites in the ocean than there used to be, the question is ‘what do you do about it?’

“I find it quite insulting that anyone could suggest that anyone could put human life below the value of a shark.

“That’s just a cheap political line.

“I would like to do something that actually makes a difference.

“For the Federal Environment Minister to make those comments to the media I find a little disappointing.

“He didn’t ring me. It’s easy to say ‘let’s have a cull’.

“But if you have a cull how many sharks are you going to kill in order to actually make a difference, how are you going to do it, how are you going to pay for it?

“Whether great whites are endangered or not is a decision of the Federal Government.

“It’s not a decision for the State Government.”

Camera Icon Laeticia Brouwer with her family. Credit: PerthNow

EARLIER

Shark cull on the agenda after Laeticia's death

THE Federal Government will pave the way for dramatic measures to protect West Australians from shark attacks — including a cull — after a teenage girl became the State’s 15th victim of a great white shark in less than two decades.

As the family of Laeticia Brouwer said yesterday the 17-year-old died “doing something that she loved”, Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said the protection of human life had to come “first and foremost”.

Mr Frydenberg said he would “welcome” any proposal to protect people from sharks, which included culling, new drum-line technology, shark barriers or “other measures which WA sees fit

But Canberra’s willingness to back more drastic action appears set to be dismissed by the State Government, which yesterday refused to set drum lines.

The McGowan Government also indicated the days of the previous government’s “serious threat” policy, under which sharks deemed a public risk can be caught and killed, were numbered.

Ms Brouwer had been surfing with her father Leon at a surf break east of Esperance known as Kelp Beds when she was attacked by what is believed to be a white pointer about 4pm on Monday.

The teenager died from her injuries in front of her parents and two sisters.