WA's EPA seeks public views on shark plan

Public comment is being invited on the West Australian government's bid to extend its controversial shark catch-and-kill policy.

Earlier this month, the state government applied to the commonwealth to set up 72 baited drum lines one kilometre off the metropolitan and southwest coast between November 15 and April 30 for three years, with the policy to be reviewed in 2017.

The proposal for the extended program is unchanged from the trial program, which expires at the end of this month.

It would continue to see any bull, tiger or great white shark bigger than three metres caught on baited drumlines shot dead and dumped further out at sea.

On Wednesday, WA's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) opened a four-week public submission period.

EPA chairman Paul Vogel said the new proposal was also referred to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, with a decision about whether it will undertake an assessment expected next month.

If the program is deemed to be a controlled action, that means significant environmental impacts are considered likely.

Last month, the EPA declined to formally assess the trial program despite receiving a record number of public submissions - more than 23,000.