The WA government's shark deterrent subsidy has been expanded, with a further $200,000 allocated for an additional 1000 devices, but the opposition says it is not enough to mitigate the risk of attacks.
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly says of Western Australia's 15 fatal shark attacks since 2000, seven were surfers and six were divers, making them the most at-risk water users.
University of WA researchers have found Shark Shield devices work in 90 per cent of encounters with white sharks.
More than 970 rebates have already been claimed, but Mr Kelly has urged people to use the $200 subsidy while they can, because the scheme will be reviewed once the 2000-limit is reached.
"Every person who goes into the water wearing one of these devices is a person who is safer," he told reporters on Sunday.
Mr Kelly brushed off criticism the government was promoting one company over others, saying Shark Shield has been rigorously tested and he will not lower standards to get other devices into the scheme.
Two other devices are currently being tested.
The minister also says there is no liability to the government if someone wearing a device is attacked by a shark, and likened the risk of entering the water to getting into a car.
Given the apparent public support for the deterrents, Mr Kelly has urged the opposition to finally get behind the idea.
"Now that the science, the research has been done, it's not helpful that the opposition is criticising this program, continuing to put doubts into people's minds as to whether or not these devices actually work," he said.
Opposition spokesman Ian Blayney says anything that helps prevent deadly attacks is good, but Labor's "blinkered" approach to shark mitigation measures left people exposed to danger.
"These devices are proven not to work one time in every 10, are only available to people who can afford to pay hundreds of dollars and are not suitable for all ocean users," he said.
"The state government should at least be open to investigating measures that have been proven to work in other states, such as netting and drum lines.
"It should also be calling for a comprehensive review of the protected status of great white sharks to satisfy itself that this policy is not responsible for the massive increase in shark numbers being reported anecdotally."
WA's last fatal shark attack was in April when 17-year-old surfer Laeticia Brouwer was bitten on the leg while on a family holiday in Esperance.
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