Adelaide shark sightings are up but no reason to be scared at the beach

There has been a jump in shark sightings across South Australia, but that is no reason to avoid the beach, the state’s leading water safety body says.

Shark sightings are up 13 per cent in South Australia, prompting calls from Surf Life Saving SA for people to take care at the beach as the mercury rises.

But SA’s leading water safety authority said beaches remained safe and the risk of being bitten on metropolitan beaches was low.

Recently published data showed there have been 155 sightings since October last year, up from 137 at the same time last year.

Most shark sightings are in the Somerton to Grange area.

SLSSA life saving and emergency operations manager Daniel Willets said vigilance was the key to keeping safe at the beach.

Surf Life Saving SA calls for calm after intense public interest in shark sightings this summer Picture: Supplied

“We understand the public interest in sharks is high at this time of year, particularly as the weather warms up and it’s when we traditionally receive the most reports of shark sightings at our metro beaches,” Mr Willets said.

“We also remind South Australians to be aware of your surroundings and, where possible, swim between the red and yellow flags.”

If swimmers hear a siren ring continuously they should evacuate the water immediately, he said.

The red and yellow Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, the shark spotter plane or beach patrols sound the alarm.

A shark at Henley Beach on December 12, 2021. Picture: Supplied

Port Noarlunga SLSSA’S Trent Stone at Port Noarlunga. Picture: Tom Huntley

The increase in sightings prompted calls from the state’s leading shark expert – Flinders University’s Professor Charlie Huveneers – to provide advice about sharks across the state.

He said just because there were more sightings did not mean the beach was more dangerous than in the past.

“Many of the shark sightings are of bronze whalers or dusky sharks which can grow up to 3m, but are unlikely to bite humans,” Prof Huveneers said.

“White sharks can and have previously bitten humans but are less common in proximity of Adelaide beaches.

“Overall, the risk of shark bites remains extremely low, and increasing measure of mitigation measures can further reduce the likelihood of being bitten, (which include) early warning systems like aerial spotting or personal deterrents.”

Last year, life savers responded to 154 rescues, 459 first aid treatments, 20,143 preventive actions – which include warning swimmers to move back between the flags and clearing beaches because of a suspected shark sighting – and collectly spent 80,033 hours patrolling beaches.

In December 2020, a 29-year-old surfer was bitten by a great white at D’Estrees Bay near Kangaroo Island. He had lacerations to his torso.

Originally published as Adelaide shark sightings are up but no reason to be scared at the beach