Ok I do know a bit about this type of technology.
The current technology used in South Australia by cage diver operations is rather primitive and basic.
It is not built to work on GPS location like the Yanks catch and release method but it could be helpful to protect a bay or surf break in the short term.
The tag is inserted by a pole to the shark using a barb which in some cases can remain onboard for up to 3 years with a battery life expected for up to 8 months this tag will relay info to a listening station which is placed in a bay the listening station works within a one km radius give or take depending on conditions.
From there info of the shark is beamed up to a satellite down to Canada and then back to Tasmaina in a matter of seconds. (Canadians build the device which retails at $40,000) .
The original plan for this was to place them all around coastal areas so biologists can try to understand what highways sharks use and also gather info as they get shark name,temp and depth readings.
I'm not going to quote how many tags have been placed on the sharks in past 5 years but I am under the understanding that most of the tourist boats are busy looking after passengers or perhaps not even interested in loading up the tag. I have witnessed about 10 in a 3 year period.
I think if this old technology combined with WA goverment/fisheries and a listening station in the vicinity of some surf breaks hooked up to loud sirens via the satellite may save lives. Obviously you would need to chum and have constant tagging operation in place.
I don't think the goverment will do much about this problem unless all water users rally together and request immediate action!
