Almost one shark a day spotted off SA beaches since season began

People have been evacuated from the water as drones watch our beachs for sharks, with almost one a day spotted since the season began.

Almost one shark a day has been spotted at South Australian beaches, some coming as close as 20m offshore, since the start of the patrol season.

Surf Life Saving SA says 75 sharks – mostly bronze whalers but also great whites and two hammerheads – have been seen along the metropolitan and mid-coasts as well as on the south coast, since October 12.

There have been sightings are Glenelg, Henley Beach, Brighton, Grange and Aldinga, as well as other popular beaches.

Surf Life Saving SA lifesaving and emergency operations manager David Bacchus said sharks had been spotted from 20m to 200m from the shoreline this season.

“We’ve had a number of sightings with sharks close to swimmers, resulting in evacuations from the water,” he said.

“A recent example was at Normanville on December 28, where a shark was sighted and the water was cleared.

“Eleven people were on the pontoon off of the jetty at the time (and) they were brought to shore by inflatable rescue boat by patrolling lifesavers of the Normanville SLSC.”

Mr Bacchus said the metropolitan and mid-coasts had reported the most shark sightings “but that’s also where our highest concentration of patrolling clubs is and where we’re proactively monitoring the water”.

“We’re patrolling more, with more helicopter flight hours and the addition of the drones, so we could say there’s more sightings, but it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s more sharks – we’re just being more proactive,” he said.

The State Government in November 2018 spent $350,000 to buy seven drones to patrol beaches for sharks, rips and other hazards each summer.

Two sharks have been spotted via the drones so far this season.

Ms Bacchus urged beachgoers to swim at patrolled beaches this summer.

“Swimming at a patrolled beach will increase your safety with regard to shark activity as well as keeping you safe in the water,” he said.

“People should avoid the higher risk times at dusk and dawn and avoid murky water and areas near river mouths.”