The reality is that you may avoid all the listed below and surf in crystal clear water at a perfect time on a perfect day and still become subject to a shark attack. There are environmental conditions that can often facilitate the success rate of a shark’s attack, making certain times and features of the environment favorable to sharks, and increase the danger. I once heard someone say there are no dangerous sharks, just dangerous situations, and the same can be true for many animals. Attacks and attempts varied with changes in depth, natural light, time of day, time of year, wind direction and other factors. Focusing on 8-year period at Seal Island, South Africa, attacks on seals and success rates were noted. ![]() INTRO Environmental factors that can affect a white shark’s ability to successfully detect and approach its prey have been researched. Whale carcasses & other animal remains Time of day WHY SHARK NETS AND CULLS ARE NOT THE ANSWERĮNVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT INCREASE SHARK PRESENCE: Fatalities from shark attacks over the last 50 years average just under one per year (0.9). There were 176 diving related deaths in Australia between 2002-2009, an average of 23 per year. The Royal Life Saving Society notes a 10 year average of 292 deaths per year for people drowning in Australia. According to the Australian Shark Attack File run by the Taronga Zoo, in the last 50 years there have been 47 unprovoked shark attack fatalities. I hope this sheds some light on the seemingly endless darkness inspired by the Australian media towards the true risk of a shark attack. Sharks exist in our waters, and it’s not only our job to co exist with them, it’s our privilege, and I truly hope this document helps you do that. You deserve to be flooded with information that may help you, also take responsibility to ensure that when you enter the ocean it is with the most educated approach towards its dangers. You are in situations more dangerous than people like myself who base their work around diving with sharks ever are. This is my small - and I feel much-needed guide - for the people and surfers of Australia who are on the front line of shark interactions daily. ![]() In the absence of knowledge and education, how can we expect to co-exist with what is, in reality, a dangerous animal? No cull or net will ever keep us 100% safe on our vast coastline, we will never rid the oceans of sharks, we cannot choose whether or not we interact with sharks, we can however choose the terms on which those interactions occur. It’s become apparent to me that we as a country have no desire to face the reality of the apex predators we share the ocean with until it is too late, and then we talk about them in media stories of fear and terror. I looked on the surf life saving website not too long ago, it contained warnings of jelly fish, rips and skin cancer. Written by Madison Stewart with the help of many amazing scientists, oceanographers and badass ocean goers. AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO SURFING WITH SHARKS
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