The cancellation of the Margaret River Pro could leave local businesses at a financial loss, according to Margaret River Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Rebecca Young.
The international surfing event was cancelled on Wednesday, April 18 after surfers were concerned for their safety following two shark attacks in one day.
After the announcement, tourism minister Paul Papalia said WA would not be worse off financially from the cancellation.
Ms Young said alot of local businesses rely on busy periods to help get them through quieter months.
“Every day that the pro is on the influx of visitors are spending their money at our local shops, restaurants and accommodation providers.
“So to have it suddenly finish half way through creates a very real risk of lost customers, which will undoubtedly hurt local small businesses.”
Ms Young said events like the pro were an important part of the region's economic development strategy and it was not good news for local business when they were cancelled half way through.
“If the perception that our beaches are not safe infiltrates the market, then yes, there's a chance that visitor numbers will decline and this will in-turn hurt the local economy,” she said.
“We really need the state government supporting our region and efforts to promote it.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Tourism Minister has his head in the sand - the impact to the local economy and tourism industry long term is undeniable. We need a proper shark mitigation strategy before more damage is done.</p>— Libby Mettam (@LibbyMettam) <a href="https://twitter.com/LibbyMettam/status/986431075109896192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
Warren Blackwood MLA Terry Redman said he could not see the cancellation of the Margaret River Pro not having an impact on the region.
Mr Redman said the bigger issue for the state government was whether the WSL would keep Margaret River on the circuit following the two shark attacks.
He said the government needed to make a decision on taking more action on shark mitigation strategies to keep Margaret River on the WSL circuit.
Mr Redman spoke to the WSL vice president in the US on Wednesday morning who informed him that the decision to cancel the Margaret River event was largely based on the two attacks and beached whales in the area.
These issues will play a big factor on whether the WSL will continue to keep Margaret River on the tour, Mr Redman said.
“This puts the ball in the government’s court to consider action on sharks in order to keep the event in Margaret River, appropriate actions need to be in place at a level that is satisfactory to the WSL,” he said.
“We cannot ignore what happened socially, economically or environmentally.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cancellation of the Margaret River Pro is the fifth event in last 12 months to be cancelled because of sharks. How many more events will be compromised before the McGowan Government takes action? Our reputation as a safe, world-class tourism and event destination is at stake.</p>— Libby Mettam (@LibbyMettam) <a href="https://twitter.com/LibbyMettam/status/986463276455247872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
Water Patrol Australia head Perry Hatchett works with Surfing WA to provide jet ski assistance during surfing events from Geraldton to Denmark including the Margaret River Pro.
Mr Hatchett said this was the first time this type of situation had occurred, and it did not help when surfers went into the water at Gracetown after great whites and a dead whale had been spotted.
Water Patrol Australia had seven jet skis on the water at the pro and were in contact with the Westpac Surf Life Saving WA helicopter telling them what was happening.
“It is a bit of a bummer for something like this to happen. It is only the second time a pro event has been cancelled, the other one was in Portugal and because of fog,” he said.
“We were already to go on Wednesday morning with extra skis, there would have been eight or nine in the water, a chopper and a drone.
“It is just a shame.”
Mr Hatchett said at last year’s event a buoy system was also used to help detect sharks but could not be used this year because of the strong swell.
“Moving forward we need to push down that route, as well as have skis in the water,” he said.
