Shark was seen, drumlines were baited days before teen died

A shark was spotted and drumlines were baited along Bribie Island’s coast in the days before a teenage girl was killed in an attack while swimming offshore.

Charlize Zmuda, 17, died on Monday afternoon after she was bitten by a shark at Woorim Beach, north of Brisbane, just before 5pm.

The beach – the closest surf beach to Brisbane – was expected to remain closed, as lifesavers used drones and a helicopter to search for the shark responsible.

Woorim Beach at Bribie Island was closed after a fatal shark attack.Credit: Courtney Kruk

Her mother, Renee Zmuda, remembered her daughter as a shining light who touched the lives of everyone she met.

“She loved the beach, and it truly was her happiest place on Earth,” she said on Tuesday, as friends and family gathered to lay flowers at the beach.

Charlize’s father Steven, the head of the local Nippers, said his daughter was a dedicated lifesaver and student who had also shown her musical talents.

Charlize Zmuda was unable to be saved after she was attacked by a shark on Woorim Beach at Bribie Island.

Reflecting on the tragic loss of someone so young – “it kills me” – Mr Zmuda said he and his wife did not want people to stop coming to the beach.

“It’s a big part of our lives, we’ve got our family here, community, and we love everybody here so please still come to the beach,” Mr Zmuda said.

The Department of Primary Industries confirmed on Tuesday shark drumlines off Woorim were last baited on Saturday.

According to the department, no sharks had been caught on these drumlines this year. Three were caught there last year.

“A shark was spotted in the area on January 27, 2025, during one of our drone trials operated by Surf Life Saving Queensland. The species was not determined.”

The species of shark that killed Charlize has not been identified. At the time, there were murky conditions, overcast skies, and minimal surf.

The Queensland Shark Management Plan was due to expire this year, and the state government had been considering a KPMG review of the Shark Control Program, completed in late 2024.

Asked about the review on Tuesday, Premier David Crisafulli said the relevant minister would consider the findings.

While he declined to speculate on any possible reforms, Crisafulli was adamant “people have to come first”.

“The safety of humans always has to come before the welfare of a shark, and I’m incredibly saddened by what’s happened,” he said.

The drumlines are located off Rickman Parade, where the incident occurred, with the patrolled beach further south and a protected fish habitat further north.

It was the first shark attack in Greater Brisbane since 2006, when 21-year-old Sarah Whiley died at Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island.

Since then, there have been fatalities on the Gold Coast and K’gari, as well as further up the coast, particularly around the Whitsundays.

Floral tributes to Charlize on the Bribie Island beach.Credit: Courtney Kruk

Ms Zmuda said her daughter loved four-wheel-driving on the beach at Bribie Island and sought to protect the environment.

“Anyone who went with her knew they would have to stop and pick up every piece of rubbish she saw along the way,” she said.

Charlize had been a member of the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club since she was young, was considered a skilled lifesaver and had also managed younger members of the club.

Mr Zmuda said his daughter cared for the community.

“She gave and dedicated so much time ... because she loved it,” he said.

“There’s so many photos of her on the beach patrolling.

“There was one time on patrol not long ago that she was singing ... I had so many people come up and say she was so talented as a singer and, as a dad, that made me so proud.”

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