Sydney Shark Attack Spurs Vigilance as Tested Deterrents Cut Encounters by About 50%
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 16
Sydney Shark Attack Spurs Vigilance as Tested Deterrents Cut Encounters by About 50%
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 16
Summary
A woman was left critically injured in a shark attack off a Sydney beach, prompting heightened caution among Australian swimmers and surfers.
Experts say the best protection is reducing overlap between people and sharks through drones, listening stations and SMART drum lines, then using personal electric deterrents if entering the water.
Research trials found one independently tested electric device cut interactions with tiger, bull and white sharks by about half, but no personal deterrent guarantees protection and many products remain untested.
Bite-resistant wetsuits made with Kevlar or rope fibres may lessen lacerations, punctures and blood loss rather than prevent attacks, while shark bite kits have already been distributed to 129 Surf Life Saving clubs in New South Wales.
Australia records about a third of global unprovoked shark bites and half of shark-related fatalities, underscoring advice to stay near shore, swim in groups and avoid dawn, dusk and murky water.