Sharks In Australia: Learn To Protect Yourself

According to Australian Geographic, over a quarter

of shark attacks in Australia are fatal. The most recent

attack occurred in Byron Bay

on the ninth of September 2014, where Paul Wilcox, 50,

was found floating near Clarkes Beach, where a three

meter great white shark

was spotted in the area immediately after the attack.

Sharks can appear all over the coast in Australia, as

well as in lakes and rivers. It

is important to be aware of this, and is important to know how to protect oneself. It is also important to understand that certain sharks

are under legislative protection. Although it is legal for commercial and recreational fishers to catch most sharks, it is worthwhile

knowing that certain types of sharks are now endangered due to declining numbers in recent years. This means that it is an offense to

injure, kill, move, trade or keep this handful of protected sharks. Among the critically endangered species include the Grey Nurse Shark

and the Speartooth Shark.

Many people who live or come to Australia worry about shark attacks and whether it is safe to swim in the ocean or not. There are

certain precautions people can take to mitigate the risk of shark attack. The following instructions are from the Australian Government

website, where there is more in depth information about sharks and Australia’s laws concerning sharks:

1. Only swim at beaches that are patrolled by Surf Life Savers.

 2. Do not swim, surf or even enter a section of water which is known for gatherings of sharks.

 3. Always swim with other people.

4. Do not swim in dirty or dark water.

5. Do not swim in deep water.

6. If schooling fish begin to behave erratically or bunch up together in large numbers, leave the water.

7. Do not swim with pets or domestic animals.

8. Look around carefully before jumping in the ocean from a boat or wharf.

9. Do not swim at dusk or at night.

10. Do not swim near people who are fishing.

 11. If a shark is spotted in the area, calmly leave the water.

For more information on how to protect yourself and others from possible shark attacks, visit the Australian Government website:

http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/sharks

 Australian Geographic http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2014/09/shark-attacks-in-australia-a-timeline/

By: Ana Rodriguez