New data allows public to view information from all recorded shark incidents

Shark attack data has been made publicly available for the first time, with an interesting trend in South Australia. See the shark attack hotspots here.

South Australia is known for extensive coastline and pristine beaches, but not far from the surfaces lie the kings of the sea.

Since the state’s first recorded shark fatality back in 1884, 72 other attacks have occurred and now for the first time The Messenger can reveal the full list.

Taronga’s Australian Shark-Incident Database (ASID) reveals more than 1000 shark-human interactions that have occurred in Australia over the past 230 years.

The log of shark incidents, formerly known as the Australian Shark Attack File, was founded by John West in the 1980s and has been maintained by Taronga Conservation Society Australia since 1984.

Sharks are known to have claimed the lives of 250 Australians, but only 20 deaths have been recorded in South Australia.

In the past month, two separate videos taken by thrillseeking fishermen just outside of Port Augusta have gone viral online.

Bronte Munzer, who filmed a shark attacking his crab net, said the current snapper ban in the Spencer Gulf could be contributing to the recent shark incidents.

“I reckon the one that stole my net was about 2.5 metres long, I don’t know if he was a little bit angry but he was having a real thrash of the crab net,” Mr Munzer said.

“It must have picked it up from the ground before popping up out of the water with my net in its mouth.”

Mr Munzer was tempting fate by fishing in the same area where fellow angler Matthew Gorne remain impressively calm while the shark passed by under him.

“I know I’m stupid for going out there without a shark shield,” Mr Gorne said. “I will definitely be investing in one now though.”

While there’s not been a confirmed South Australian death due to a shark attack since 2014, co-author of the ASID study Professor Charlie Huveneers said shark bites on humans have decreased steadily over the past decade.

“SA has had fewer shark bites over the past decade, which is surprising considering that other parts of Australia has seen an increase in the number of shark bites over the same period,” Mr Huveneers said.

“The reason for SA not having experienced the same increase as in other states is unknown and highlights the random nature of shark bites and challenges predicting when and where they are more likely to occur.”

Localised areas tied for highest number of fatalities are the Adelaide metropolitan area and the Eyre Peninsula, with the ASID study reflecting both areas experiencing five shark-related deaths since data collection began.

This is followed by the Fleurieu Peninsula with three and Yorke Peninsula, Spencer Gulf and Nullarbor Plain with two.

The Australian Shark Incident Database is available here.