In Australia the Bull Shark occurs from south-western, Western Australia, around the northern coastline and down the east coast to the central coast of New South Wales. The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.
Six out of these seven species covered by the Sharks MOU occur in Australian waters - the white shark, whale shark, basking shark, porbeagle, shortfin mako and longfin mako.
This species has a widespread distribution in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide. In Australia, the Bull Shark occurs from Perth, around the northern coastline and down the east coast to Sydney2.
In fact, nearly all attacks in Australian coastal waters have been attributed to just three species: Great white sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks (which aren't usually found in Victorian waters).
Globally, fishing pressure, coastal development and shark control programs may threaten Bull Sharks in the future. Therefore, it is assessed globally and in Australia as Near Threatened (IUCN), and Sustainable (SAFS).
Bull sharks are often considered to be the most dangerous sharks to humans because of their aggressive tendencies and ability to migrate up rivers.
1. Great White Shark. Great white sharks are the most aggressive sharks in the world has recorded 333 attacks on humans, with 52 of them being fatal. The inclusion of this particular species probably comes as no surprise since movies, particularly Jaws, and television shows are quick to show their aggression.
Crocodiles aren't Kakadu's only sharp-toothed aquatic animals – our estuaries also host some of the world's rarest sharks. Some of Kakadu's sharks (such as the bull shark) can be found in waters all over the globe.
Australia's oceans are also home to the three most deadly sharks responsible for almost all recorded shark attacks in Australia, namely the Great Whites, Tiger Sharks and Bull Sharks.
When and where do sharks attack? From 2021-2022, New South Wales and Western Australia were the most common states for human/shark interactions in Australia, with 14 cases within each state. This was followed by Queensland with 3 cases and Victoria with 2 cases.
Answer and Explanation: Sharks have been spotted in both of the Murray Rivers, but they do not seem to be common. Bull sharks may live near the mouths of these rivers since they can tolerate varying levels of salinity and are frequently found in estuaries.
Divers do not need to worry about scuba diving with bull sharks as they do not pose any threat to us. They are considered among one of the most aggressive sharks due to their characteristics, together with their cousins the great white and tiger shark.
As you now know the average length of a bull shark extends to 8 feet maximum but the largest bull shark ever found was 10 feet long and weighed around 1000 pounds.
Rosie the shark first came to the spotlight back in 1997 when her hunger for some tuna found her trapped in the Lukin family's tuna fishing nets in South Australia. She was so caught up in the nets that there was no way to free her safely.
The shark Apristurus ovicorrugatus was identified as a new species over a decade after the first mystery egg cases were found in a Western Australian museum collection.
The USA and Australia are the most sharks infested countries in the world. Since the year 1580, a total of 682 shark attacks have killed more than 155 people in Australia.
Whale Shark
Whale sharks are among the friendliest shark species, if not the friendliest. They have been known for giving divers trips on their backs, and baby whale sharks are known to interact with humans.
Simon Nellist was killed when a great white attacked him in the waters near Sydney in February 2022. A member of Australia's Parliament said at the time that Nellist, a diving instructor, swam in the area nearly every day, according to BBC News.
The great white shark has killed the most humans resulting in 52 known fatalities, though roughly 300 unprovoked attacks are recorded from the great white.
Epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) are about 3 feet long with paddle-shaped fins they use to walk, whether across the ocean floor or on dry land.
Gummy Shark (also called Flake) is one of Australia's premium eating sharks. If buying Flake ensure you ask if it is Gummy Shark, as this is the only Australian shark allowed to be called this. As a smaller shark it has a sweet and delicious flesh, and are popular for their boneless and thick flakes.
Caught 22 kms out of Streaky Bay the shark tired and was gaffed after a 5 hour and 15 minute struggle. The massive shark caught on a 24 kg line weighed in at 1520 kgs and was more than 5m long. It is believed to be the biggest in the world caught on a 24 kg line – a world record!