Tensions between Canberra and WA over the shark threat have erupted into open warfare, with Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg accusing the State of fabricating excuses for its lack of action.

Mr Frydenberg hit back after WA Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly put out a statement claiming to “set out the facts” about the use of smart drum lines in NSW to reduce the risk of shark attacks.

Camera Icon Josh Frydenberg has accused WA of misleading the public on sharks. Credit: Nic Ellis

Mr Frydenberg said Mr Kelly had deliberately misrepresented the truth by suggesting the devices did not improve safety and overstating how much they would cost.

The broadside escalates a tit-for-tat battle over how to reduce the risk of shark attacks after a spate of incidents in WA that culminated in the cancellation of the Margaret River Pro last month.

Last week, Mr Kelly claimed there were “double” the number of shark attacks in NSW compared with WA over the past five years despite the use of smart drum lines.

But Mr Frydenberg said that since the drum-line trial started in 2016 there had been half as many “unprovoked shark interactions” in NSW — eight compared with 16 in WA.

Mr Frydenberg accused Mr Kelly of misleading the public with claims smart drum lines had not prevented recent attacks in NSW.

He said drum lines were not in use when a man was knocked over by a bull shark in shallow water at Kiama, south of Sydney, and they were almost 1km away from a surfer who encountered a shark at Lennox.

Camera Icon WA Fisheries minister Dave Kelly stands by his claims. Credit: Nic Ellis

He said claims a drum-line program in WA would cost up to $75 million a year were wildly exaggerated, noting 10 devices across seven beaches in NSW’s Ulladulla region cost $242,000 for six months.

Mr Frydenberg said though NSW’s trial was not complete, there were strong signs the program worked, with 235 target sharks, including 216 great whites, caught.

Importantly, he said the drum lines, which send alerts to authorities via satellite and allow captured animals to be tagged and released, had resulted in virtually no sharks being killed.

“The experience on the east coast provides compelling evidence that with the right shark mitigation measures public safety ... can be enhanced,” Mr Frydenberg said.

Camera Icon Diagram showing how smart drum lines work

“It’s time the WA Government fulfilled its responsibility and took stronger action to protect its public from shark attacks. The rollout of smart drum lines across WA beaches would be would be a good start.”

Mr Kelly said Mr Frydenberg’s comments were an admission there had been attacks in NSW despite its drum lines.

“Mr Frydenberg admits there has been eight shark attacks in NSW in the last 18 months alone of the smart drum-line trial, including one attack recently just 700m away from a set drum line,” he said.

He stood by his claims the devices would be more expensive in WA.

“The cost of a full-year Statewide roll out of drum lines in WA will be much higher than the NSW costs for a short-term limited trial given our more extensive coastline,” he said.

But he declined to comment on whether his statement meant smart drum lines would not be used in WA.

Mr Kelly has previously said the Government would watch the NSW trials and await assessment of their effectiveness before making a commitment.