'Shark alert' text messages could be sent under Victorian plan

‘Shark alerts’ could be sent via text messages, under a new plan to keep swimmers and surfers safe at Victorian beaches.

Life Saving Victoria is investigating technologies used by emergency services amid calls for a formal way to report shark sightings.

The SMS service would send warnings direct to beachgoers’ phones, and could be particularly useful at unpatrolled beaches.

It could also help to assist crews in spreading important messages at patrolled beaches.

The concept has been considered in the wake of a number of serious and fatal shark attacks on NSW’s north coast this year.