20/01/2026
The Surfrider community are deeply saddened by the events of the past few
days. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends, and for
our coastal community who are deeply rattled.
The four shark encounters, and a number of anecdotal encounters along the NSW
coastline have been traumatic, and rightly beach goers are on high alert.
Our previous post outlined why heavy rainfall, storms and high
seas increase the likelihood of shark encounters, as well as the DO’s and
DON’Ts of prevention and staying safe.
The ocean is a sanctuary and our
solace and should be respected and understood, not feared. So please read
it, and please educate your friends!
Shark incidents always result in a frenzy of media, and unfortunately along
with it some uninformed opinions and misinformation.
Below is what we know:
Out of over 500 different species of shark, only 3 are responsible for fatal
encounters with humans (often due to blood loss). They are the tiger shark, white shark and the
bull shark, all of which migrate up and down the East Coast of Australia. Of these 3, the bull shark is considered most dangerous because because it thrives in murky waters, frequents the same areas
where people hang out – including inshore coastal waters, harbours, estuaries and
river mouths. It is currently PEAK BREEDING season for bull sharks, with
warm water temperatures, exacerbated by murky storm waters pushing fish, rubbish and nutrients out of the
river mouths into the sea, providing perfect
predation conditions. (Please note that the information regarding the sharks responsible
for these recent incidents has not yet been released).
SAFETY & AWARENESS
Below is the distinction regarding Shark NETS and Shark BARRIERS which the media, the general public
and politicians often confuse.
In Sydney Harbour (a known bull shark breeding ground) certain beaches have a
FULLY enclosed meshed BARRIER that stretches from above the water, and is secured all the way down to the sand. These are safe areas and swimmers should swim there. These areas include Nielson Park, Balmoral, Clifton
Gardens, and Northbridge Baths etc. These barriers are NOT the same as “shark nets”. Shark BARRIERS should STAY.
Ocean Beach Shark Nets exist in a different marine environment, and only cover a fraction of the beach (150-180m in length). There are 51 netted beaches from Wollongong to Newcastle and they are installed from September until April. Sharks swim over, under and around
them, whilst the unintended by-catch caught in these nets attract sharks close to ocean users to feed on dead/dying marine life. 40% of the target sharks that are caught, are found on the inside of the nets on their way out from the beach.
These nets are old, expensive placebos giving a false sense of security, as
evidenced by the recent incidents at Dee Why and North Steyne, both of which are
netted beaches.
Ocean beach shark nets should go.
Surfrider continues to ask for modern, life saving, science
based shark mitigation solutions such as drones, increased
aerial surveillance and what is becoming more evident - public education.
AGAIN below, here’s what to keep in mind to help keep yourself (and others) safe:
DO:
-Check local conditions/water quality/warnings before entering the water
-Swim or surf in groups, avoid being alone
-Choose patrolled beaches and swim between the flags
-Enter the water during FULL daylight hours
-AVOID dawn & dusk (peak feeding times)
-Trust your instincts, if something feels off, don’t go out
-Avoid swimming/surfing after rainfall
-Avoid swimming/surfing after rough seas, by catch will be caught in the
shark nets and will attract larger sharks in to feed on them
DON’T:
-Enter the ocean after heavy rain or storms
-Swim or surf at dawn or dusk (peak feeding times)
-Go out alone
-Enter murky or discoloured water.
-Swim or surf at river mouths, especially after heavy rainfall
Stay safe Surfrider’s.
Surfrider Foundation Australia
Clare Drhlik Brendan Donohoe
