Video shows tiger shark strapped to WA car

A video has emerged on social media showing a tiger shark strapped to the front of a four-wheel-drive in Perth, but it could result in a hefty fine for the culprits.

Julie Wright shared the footage on the Perth and WA Fishing Reports Facebook page on Monday afternoon and it has already been viewed more than 380,000 times.

Ms Wright said she "had to look twice" when she saw the shark tied to the vehicle as it towed a boat on a road in Safety Bay.

The Department of Fisheries has identified the animal as a tiger shark and is trying to locate those involved to question them.

The fisherman responsible reportedly told Seven News journalist Amelia Broun the shark was already dead when he reeled it in.

Concerned that dumping the carcass back in the water would attract more sharks to nearby divers, he decided to tie it to his bullbar and take the animal home.

Fisheries metropolitan region manager Tony Cappelluti said officers attended the Bent Street boat ramp after a member of the public reported the incident, but the people involved had gone.

Mr Cappelluti said there are protections in place for all whaler sharks, including tiger sharks, with an interdorsal fin length of 700mm or greater, which are found along the southern half of WA's coast.

He said it was hard to determine just by viewing the video whether anyone broke the law.

While the transport method was not sensible, there was nothing in the Fisheries act that prohibited it, Mr Cappelluti added.

Anyone who captures a shark illegally can receive a fine of up to $5000 for a first offence and an additional penalty of up to 10 times the value of the fish taken.

WA Police have declined to comment on whether the driver will face a charge over his front licence plate being covered up by the shark.