A spate of shark bites has Australian ocean lovers on edge, with experts pointing to warming ocean temperatures as a key factor. Marine biologist and shark expert Prof Rob Harcourt, an emeritus professor at Macquarie University, says bull sharks are spending more time in the Sydney area due to warmer waters, while tiger sharks also prefer higher temperatures. However, data from shark nets shows no significant changes in shark numbers, contradicting claims of a population explosion.
Rising Trend of Shark Bites
Australia is second only to the US globally for shark bites, but while global trends are flat, Australia's numbers are climbing. The Australian Shark Incident file reveals an average of 3.1 unprovoked incidents per year in the 1950s, rising to 12 per year in the 2000s and reaching 21 per year this decade. Deaths have also increased from 1.7 per year in the 1950s to 3.8 per year so far in the 2020s, though improved response times and tourniquet kits at surf clubs may have saved lives.
Leah Stewart, 34, suffered severe injuries from a suspected great white shark bite last Saturday at a patrolled beach in clear water during the day, all factors that reduce bite risk. Her arm was amputated, and she remains critical in intensive care. Harcourt notes that many surfers are now traumatized and avoiding the water.
Factors Behind the Increase
Dr Daryl McPhee, a shark bite researcher at Bond University, says the rising trend is consistent with public perception, especially in Sydney. However, the risk varies by beach, day, and species. Recovery of seal and whale populations—food for larger sharks—also plays a role. Harcourt warns that swimming near seal colonies increases risk, as sharks may bite humans to test if they are prey.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott suggested more sharks are in the water, but Harcourt disputes this, citing stable catches in shark nets. “If there were an explosion in shark numbers, a lot more would be caught in those nets,” he says. The nets, in place for over 80 years, are controversial. Prof Corey Bradshaw of Flinders University calls them “bullshit,” stating they are an environmental catastrophe with no evidence of reducing bite incidence.
Fear and Risk Perception
Despite the rise, experts emphasize that shark bites remain extremely rare. There were 82 drowning deaths on Australian beaches last year, far exceeding shark fatalities. Dr Brianna Le Busque of Adelaide University says comparing bites to rare events like lightning strikes does not help. “We talk about how rare bites are, and that almost makes it feel even more random and that we have even less control,” she explains. Her research found that surfers, who encounter sharks more often, fear them less than the general public, often describing encounters as “non-events.”
Safety Measures
Governments have introduced baited hooks, drone monitoring, and listening stations for tagged sharks. Bradshaw says public education, drones, and personal protection can reduce risk when implemented well. However, culls are unlikely to work due to sharks’ migratory patterns. “It’s an old colonial view that we can bend nature to our will,” McPhee says. Experts urge beachgoers to follow safety advice, such as swimming between flags and avoiding areas near seals or river mouths.
