More sharks have been spotted near Australian beaches, with rising reports of close encounters and unfortunate shark attacks. Should beachgoers be worried?
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00:00Sharks are increasingly being spotted near Australian beaches, so should beach goers be concerned? And what's causing this rise?
00:08Experts suggest several factors could be pushing these apex predators closer to shore.
00:13Rising ocean temperatures are expanding the range of species like bull sharks and tiger sharks, while overfishing is depleting smaller fish stocks,
00:21forcing sharks to hunt in new areas.
00:23Changing migration patterns are also at play, with sharks adapting to altered food sources and coastal environments.
00:31In Queensland, the shark control program recorded its highest catch in 2024, capturing nearly
00:381,600 sharks, but critics argue that increasing shark culls and deploying more shark nets are ineffective in improving safety.
00:45Many experts and community groups believe non-lethal measures such as improved monitoring and shark detecting drones
00:52should be prioritised instead.
00:54The family of surfer Stephen Payne, who was killed by a shark at Wharton Beach in March 2025,
01:01said he would not have supported shark culling as he understood the risks of the ocean.
01:12While sightings have increased, the risk of shark attack remains relatively low, with only a few incidents reported each year.
01:20Experts believe improved public awareness and real-time tracking technology have contributed to better reporting and safety,
01:26not necessarily a surge in attacks.