Australia closes dozens of east coast beaches after shark attacks | Wildlife News
- Four shark attacks have occurred along the New South Wales (NSW) coastline in Australia since Sunday, January 18, 2026, prompting warnings to beachgoers as experts attribute the incidents...
- The attacks occurred at various locations along the NSW coast.
- NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) confirmed the incidents and issued alerts for several beaches.
Four Shark Attacks Reported along New South Wales Coastline
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Four shark attacks have occurred along the New South Wales (NSW) coastline in Australia since Sunday, January 18, 2026, prompting warnings to beachgoers as experts attribute the incidents to rainy weather conditions drawing sharks closer to shore.
Details of the Attacks
The attacks occurred at various locations along the NSW coast. On january 18th, a surfer was bitten on the leg at Lighthouse Beach near Ballina. The following day, January 19th, a swimmer sustained leg injuries at Shelly Beach, and a bodyboarder was bitten on the hand at Crescent Head. Most recently, on january 20th, a swimmer suffered a leg injury at Emerald Beach. All four victims were treated for their injuries, with one surfer requiring hospitalization in serious but stable condition.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) confirmed the incidents and issued alerts for several beaches. Authorities have temporarily closed numerous beaches as a precaution.
Rainy conditions and Shark Behavior
Experts believe the recent heavy rainfall across NSW has contributed to the increased shark activity. rainfall leads to increased runoff from rivers and creeks, carrying sediment and potentially baitfish into the ocean, attracting sharks closer to popular swimming and surfing areas.
“We’ve had significant rainfall in the last week,which has resulted in increased freshwater flows into the ocean,” stated Dr. Blake Chapman, a marine biologist at Bond University, in a statement to Al Jazeera. “this creates murky water conditions and brings food sources closer to shore, increasing the likelihood of shark encounters.”
Safety Recommendations
NSW authorities are urging beachgoers to exercise extreme caution. Recommendations include:
- Swimming at patrolled beaches between the flags.
- Avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk.
- Not swimming alone.
- avoiding areas where fish are schooling or where there is runoff from rivers or creeks.
- Heeding all warnings and beach closures.
The DPI’s SharkSmart website provides real-time shark sighting facts and safety advice: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/sharks/sharksmart
Recent Shark Attack data in NSW
According to the Australian Shark incident Database, there were 16 unprovoked shark attacks in NSW in 2025. While shark attacks remain relatively rare, the recent cluster of incidents has heightened public concern. The DPI continues to monitor shark activity and implement mitigation strategies, including drone surveillance and the deployment of shark nets at select beaches.