Several Sydney beaches have been closed after three shark attacks in just over 24 hours with experts warning the public to be aware of conditions that may attract sharks.
The third shark attack on Monday evening at North Steyne Beach in Manly left a man in critical condition. Earlier that day, the surfboard of an 11-year-old boy was bitten while he was surfing at Dee Why. The day before, a 13-year-old was bitten at a swimming spot in Vaucluse.
The attacks came after several days of rain in Sydney and NSW Police on Monday urged people not to swim in murky, low-visibility water.
"I would recommend not swimming in the harbour or our other river systems across NSW at this time," Superintendent Joseph McNulty told reporters before the Dee Why incident and Manly attack were reported.
Northern Beaches Council said all beaches in its area would remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, and this would be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Experts recommend swimming between the flags and avoiding murky water to reduce your chance of a shark attack. Source: SBS News
Marine science expert Professor Rob Harcourt at Macquarie University said heavy rain changes where fish swim — something that hungry sharks anticipate.
"Avoiding river mouths when there's been heavy rain is a smart thing to do."
Bull sharks also breed in estuaries, and Harcourt said Sydney Harbour is prime bull shark habitat.
Research shows warming waters due to climate change mean sharks are staying around the city longer, and also swimming further south, he added.
"Which is, of course, where humans tend to live."
Experts say the safest place to swim in Australia is between the flags.
This is partly because these areas are highly scrutinised, and surf lifesaving organisations are also now using drones to look for sharks.
For more information about shark behaviour, SBS has created an interactive on sharks. Click the image below.
The highest number of attacks recorded in a single year was in 2020, when 28 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks, according to ASID. Seven of them died.
Last year there were 23 shark incidents and six people died.
But shark attacks are still considered rare, and people are much more likely to drown than be bitten.
Share
