Stingray attacks, beached sharks: What’s going on in SA’s oceans?

Beached sharks, dying kangaroos and now usually placid stingrays attacking researchers on our coasts. Here is what’s behind SA’s mysterious marine events.

• Great whites hurl themselves at beach

A great white has flung itself on to Henley Beach – stunning onlookers amid an alarming increase in shark sightings along South Australia’s coast.

The incident – on Monday morning – came as a retired nurse told how she was speared by an eagle ray’s barb during a snorkelling trip off the Yorke Peninsula.

A great white shark washed up on Henley Beach: Picture: Benjamin Neville @offpiste4wdtours

Experts say both incidents are linked to marine life being affected by a severe outbreak of toxic algal bloom along the Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.

The 2.7m shark was first spotted by walkers in shallow water near the River Torrens outlet before suddenly bursting up on to the beach.

Footage shared on social media shows several people attempting to push the shark back into the water. Another video then shows the shark swimming off.

However, a short time later, a shark – about the same size – was found dead on the sand just north of the outlet. It was unclear if it was the same one.

Department of Primary Industries and Regions officers removed the shark. “The cause of death is still under investigation and any links to this incident and other recent shark mortalities at other locations on the SA coast are unable to be determined at this stage,” a PIRSA spokesman said.

Daniel Spendlove, who was involved in the rescue, said the shark was “very bogged”.

“I went down there, took my shoes and socks off, and tried to manoeuvre this shark with other people’s help and move it out to a bit more of a deeper water,” he told the ABC.

Pam Bennett, 68, was left with an Eagle Ray barb stuck in her arm after it pierced her wetsuit on the Yorke Peninsula.

The Eagle Ray barb that pierced Pam Bennett’s arm measured more than 15cm long. Picture Supplied

The drama comes amid a spike in shark sightings in recent weeks, prompting warnings from authorities for beachgoers to remain alert.

In April, three people were hailed as heroes after rescuing a great white shark that was stranded on a sandbar between Ardrossan and Tiddy Widdy Beach, on Yorke Peninsula.

Meanwhile, Pam Bennett, of Minlaton, said on Monday she feared for her life after being speared by an eagle ray’s 16cm barb while snorkelling off the Yorke Peninsula.

“I’m very lucky. I could’ve been struck anywhere,” the 68-year-old said while recovering in Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Ms Bennett was taking part in a marine life survey on the southern coastline on Friday when the incident happened.

“It was right near the brachial artery – so close that it was almost fatal,” she said.

“We come over like a dark shadow in their territory, so it defended itself like anything would when threatened.”

Marine biologist Dr Mike Bossley, who was leading the survey, said eagle rays were normally shy and placid.

But on Friday, he said a school of eagle rays attacked the group as they entered the water. “I’ve snorkelled and dived with eagle rays dozens of times over the years and never experienced behaviour like this,” Dr Bossley said.

He said the survey revealed thousands of dead and dying fish – including sharks and rays – from Port Vincent to Marion Bay.

A dead Eagle Ray was found washed up on the same beach on the Yorke Peninsula on Monday morning. Picture Supplied

Dr Bossley said the algal bloom, which can deplete oxygen levels in the water, was to blame – and ongoing warm conditions would only worsen the situation.

“It seems the algal bloom has caused such severe distress that it has changed their behaviour completely,” he said.

“I have been diving on the southern Yorke Peninsula for almost 50 years and this is by far the most severe situation I have seen. If anyone doubts the impact of climate change, they should take a look.”

Ms Bennett said the group had noticed unusual activity before the incident.

“There were lots of sharks and rays about,” she said.

“We noticed there were more of them than usual and they were very active. They might be struggling to breathe.”

About 50 sick and dying kangaroos have had to be euthanised after eating toxic algal blooms near Tunkalilla Beach, on Fleurieu Peninsula.

Retired nurse Pam Bennett, 68, of Minlaton, is helped out of her wetsuit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital after she was stung by a stingray on the Yorke Peninsula

Ms Bennett said the group had noticed unusual activity before the incident.

“There were lots of sharks and rays about,” she said.

“We noticed there were more of them than usual and they were very active … they might be struggling to breathe.”

She believes the ray may have mistaken her for a threat.

“We come over like a dark shadow in its territory … so it defended itself like I think anything would when threatened.”

She was flown to Adelaide for emergency surgery and praised the swift response from medical staff.

“I was blown away by everyone at the RAH … all the people of Yorke Town were absolutely brilliant.”

Ms Bennett said she would return to the water – but not until the bloom had passed.

“I won’t be going out again until this algal bloom is over … the marine life is not acting normal,” she said.

“After that I’ll probably go out again.”

Originally published as Stingray attacks, beached sharks: What’s going on in SA’s oceans?