Australia faced an alarming trend last year, having emerged as the country with the most fatalities caused by shark attacks around the world. South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula recorded three lives lost to shark attacks, contributing to a high tally across the nation. Meanwhile, the United States recorded the highest number of shark attacks around the world, with 32 cases leading to two fatalities. This shows that the threat of shark attacks, while rare, is a global concern that varies across different coastlines.
Australia has responded proactively to this issue by implementing an effort to tag and track a significant number of sharks. Notably, over 500 great whites, over a hundred tigers, and 92 bull sharks have been tracked. This initiative is crucial to reducing the risk of shark attacks and demonstrates Australia’s commitment to coexisting with these magnificent creatures. Research on shark behavioral patterns has revealed that younger great whites favor the waters of New South Wales, while older ones are commonly found off the coast of Western Australia.
For those determined to tempt fate at the beach, there are a few tips to consider to avoid attracting sharks. These include using the SharkSmart app, being mindful of swimming times, water clarity, and locations, as well as swimming with a companion and taking note of jewelry, bleeding wounds, and excessive splashing. Moreover, Australia’s beaches were reported to have numerous shark detections, with certain areas recording an increased number of shark-related activity. This highlights the importance of caution and vigilance in swimming in these areas.