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Shark debate

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Illustration by Dionne Gain

Shark hysteria only diverts attention from the real danger at our beaches

“Nanny state” wokeism versus Trumpy libertarian defiance. Shark safety is making waves in the surf community.

  • Malcolm Knox

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‘Trevor the shark’ spotted swimming off Perth beaches. Picture: 9News Perth

Close encounter with ‘Trevor’ the tiger shark prompts call for quicker Perth beach warnings

A number of tiger sharks were spotted by a keen wildlife videographer last week, who even used his drone to warn a woman that she was dangerously close to one of them.

  • Rebecca Peppiatt and Andrew Du
Ken Done with Leah Djikic, whose artwork inspired him.

How 11-year-old Leah’s art ended up in a museum, and inspiring Ken Done

Ten children were inspired to draw or paint sharks or rays, endangered or at risk from overfishing. Then acclaimed artists were prompted to do their own works.

  • Julie Power
The council voted to ban wire trace, mainly used for shark fishing, along the popular tourist spot.

Popular WA tourist destination bans shark fishing

Fisheries Minister Don Punch banned wire trace within 800 metres of the shore along Perth’s metropolitan coastline in 2023. This regional council has weighed in.

  • Holly Thompson
James Smith’s arm was thrown up by a shark in the Coogee Aquarium in 1935.

The schoolboy, the actor and the criminal’s severed arm: Sydney’s most famous shark tales

Thankfully, the woman whose leg was mauled on Monday night will survive. Over the centuries, the outcome has been much more horrific.

  • Peter FitzSimons
The barrier will protect swimmers while not impacting other creatures.

Shark barrier up on Perth’s Swan River

The barrier at Bicton Baths is about four kilometres from the Fremantle traffic bridge, where 16-year-old Stella Berry was attacked while swimming in February.

  • Aaron Bunch
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The man was bitten on Monday.

Should we let sharks tell us where to swim this summer?

Shark attacks are on the increase, so we should do whatever is necessary to keep people safe.

  • Brad Emery
Shark fishers at swimming beaches in Kwinana, south of Perth, leave body parts behind after they are finished.

Dead sharks left at beaches as bans push fishers further south of Perth

Activists fighting against shark fishing in the Perth metropolitan area are calling on local governments further south to ban the practice.

  • Holly Thompson
The dead shark with Lisa’s name carved into it at Ammo Jetty.

WA government eyes shark hunting restrictions after campaigner threat

Acting fisheries minister Reece Whitby has labelled those who made the threat as knuckleheads, and urged people to report illegal activity.

  • Holly Thompson
Fossils of the prehistoric Helicoprion’s teeth baffled scientists for decades.

‘We sat there with tweezers and Super Glue just going insane’

Step inside the process of building a prehistoric shark.

  • Angus Dalton

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/shark-debate-1m60