Shark attacks in Australia: How to stay safe, reduce risk
The latest tragic death shark attack death comes as Australia enters its most dangerous months for attacks. Here are the top questions and how to reduce your risk.
A woman has been killed and a man has been seriously injured in a shark attack at Crowdy Bay, near Port Macquarie in NSW.
Emergency services were called to the beach shortly before 6.30am on Thursday following reports that two swimmers, both in their 20s, had been mauled by a shark.
The tragedy has shone the spotlight on the danger of shark attacks in Australia as the nation enters the most dangerous months - November to April - for attacks.
These are the most common questions being asked about shark attacks.
HOW DO I AVOID A SHARK ATTACK?
Swimmers are advised to only swim at patrolled beaches and to stay between the red and yellow flags, the NSW government says on its SharkSmart page.
It is important to avoid swimming and surfing at dawn, dusk and night – sharks can see you but you can’t see them.
People are advised to swim, dive or surf with others, rather than alone, and to stay out of the water if they have bleeding cuts or wounds.
It’s best to avoid having pets in the water with you and to keep away from shark nets.
The NSW government also advises that swimmers should use a shark deterrent device, which works by emitting electrical pulses that repel sharks.
HOW MANY SHARK ATTACKS HAVE THERE BEEN IN AUSTRALIA IN 2025?
There have been 13 shark attack bites in Australia in 2025, with five of those being fatal.
In September, Sydney man Mercury Psillakis, an experienced surfer, was tragically killed while surfing off Long Reef Beach in Dee Why on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
In March, a Melbourne man was killed by a shark while surfing in shallow water on a remote beach in Western Australia.
In February, a shark killed a 17-year-old girl swimming at Woorim Beach, just north of Brisbane.
In January, a surfer was killed at Granites Beach near Streaky Bay, South Australia.
WHERE IN AUSTRALIA HAVE THE MOST SHARK ATTACKS BEEN?
Eighty per cent of shark attacks in Australia have occurred in coastal regions in NSW, Queensland and WA, according to Australia Wide First Aid (AWFA).
WHAT MONTH ARE SHARKS MOST ACTIVE IN?
Encounters with the feared creatures often increase as the weather warms up, typically between the months of November and April, reports AWFA.
For bull sharks, water temperatures above 20C are preferred and are more abundant in coastal waterways during summer and autumn.
Meanwhile, juvenile white sharks tend to move northward along the NSW coast in late autumn and early winter.
Swimmers are warned to be vigilant during the summer months as the peak of shark attacks coincides with Christmas, New Year and Easter periods.
WHAT DEPTH Of WATER ARE MOST SHARK ATTACKS IN?
Attacks can occur in shallow, waist-deep waters, where there is a higher concentration of human activity.
Most shark attacks occur in offshore waters, 30 or more metres from the shore, according to WA’s Department of Fisheries.
Attacks are reported in nearshore waters between a three to 10-metre depth range, particularly between sandbars or steep drop-offs.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO SCARE AWAY A SHARK?
Yes, it’s possible to scare away a shark if you ever come face-to-face.
According to the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the most important thing is to keep the shark in sight by maintaining eye contact and moving slowly, exiting the water if possible.
If the shark approaches, use whatever you have at your disposal – a surfboard, dive gear, fishing equipment – to create a barrier between yourself and the animal.
Concentrate on sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose and gills while making sudden movements or splashing to scare the animal.
HOW DO SHARK NETS WORK?
Shark nets are large mesh nets spanning about 150 metres long and hanging about 6 metres down into the ocean.
The nets, which sharks get entangled in, are attached to floats and anchored to the sea floor. If they sharks are deemed to be among a list of target species, contractors kill them.
Critics say shark nets span only part of a beach, so they don’t fully remove the risk of an attack, while others say the nets are harmful as they kill other ocean creatures such as turtles and dolphins.
HOW DO DRUMLINES WORK AND WHAT HAPPENS TO SHARKS CAUGHT IN THEM?
SMART drum lines are baited hooks that send a signal to authorities after they are bitten by s shark,
The contractor will then race out to tag and release the shark.
Drumlines are considered expensive to run because contractors have to be paid to be on call as they wait for a shark to take the bait.
— with Hannah Wilcox
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Originally published as Shark attacks in Australia: How to stay safe, reduce risk
