In a city of more than 100 beaches, swimming and surfing are part of Sydney’s lifeblood. But four shark bites in New South Wales in 48 hours – three of which were in Sydney – have rattled even some of the city’s most seasoned ocean users.
On Sunday afternoon, a 12-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after being bitten on a harbour beach in Vaucluse in Sydney’s east. On Monday morning, an 11-year-old’s surfboard was bitten multiple times at Dee Why in the city’s north, while that afternoon, a 27-year-old man was bitten while surfing in Manly, less than 5km away.
“Sydneysiders are ingrained with surfing and beach activities as part of their life and it does feel like a piece of you gets stripped away when something like this happens,” says Matt Chojnacki, a lifelong The recent shark attack at North Steyne in Manly, NSW, has prompted caution among local surfers. We delve into the factors contributing to increased shark activity and expert advice for beachgoers.
Rob Harcourt, emeritus professor of marine ecology at Macquarie University, a regular surfer at Bondi and North Steyne, cancelled his usual surf on Tuesday following Monday’s incident.
“I haven’t got in the water today. It’s only human - it would just be foolish to rush back into the water when you can just leave it for a few days,” he says.
Harcourt intends to stay out of the water for the rest of the week, or until conditions improve. Murky water, a result of recent heavy rainfall, is a known factor in increased shark activity. This situation demands a thorough guide to understanding the risks.
“Go for a run instead.If you can’t see what’s happening in the water, that’s a good sign not to go in,” he advises.
