WA Fisheries denies breaching shark rules

The Greens have accused WA fishery officials of breaching their own guidelines by deploying capture gear for sharks under three metres long.

There have been 61 shark sightings between June 6 and August 25, with the majority in Perth's north between Mettams Pool and Watermans Bay.

WA's Department of Fisheries said on Friday the sharks spotted ranged from one to 4.5 metres long and were white sharks, bronze whalers or unknown species.

A spokesman said the guidelines were not breached when the capture gear was set on Thursday, as unprecedented sightings rendered the serious threat guidelines inapplicable.

The capture gear was removed on Thursday evening and a vessel is monitoring beaches while weather permits.

Shark sightings also postponed the WA school surf title finals, due to begin at Trigg beach on Friday morning.

In June, surfer Ben Gerring and diver Doreen Collyer were separately mauled by white sharks.