Australia averages around 20 shark incidents per year involving injuries, with roughly 2-3 fatalities annually, though numbers fluctuate, as seen with 4 fatal bites in 2023. Most attacks occur in New South Wales and Queensland, involving surfers and swimmers, with great white, tiger, and bull sharks as common culprits, but unprovoked attacks remain rare compared to other risks like drowning.
Australia reported the second-highest number of total shark related incidents, with the annual average increasing from nine bites per year between 1990 and 2000 to 22 bites per year from 2010 to 2020.
The odds of being killed by a shark in Australia are one in 8 million. It's the same likelihood of being killed by a kangaroo – even though kangaroos don't evoke the same fear in us, the danger is there, but it's miniscule.
Emergency services have credited a bystander with saving the man's life. This incident brings the number of reported shark attacks in Australia in 2025 to 20, with this incident marking the fifth fatality.
Australia has the highest number of fatal shark attacks in the world, with Western Australia recently becoming the deadliest place in the world for shark attacks with total and fatal shark bites growing exponentially over the last 40 years.
While sharks don't see in colour, contrast can still play a role in how visible you are, especially in different lighting conditions. Some studies suggest that darker wetsuits can make you more visible against a bright surface when viewed from below, but this does not necessarily increase the risk of attack.
Electric repellents create an electromagnetic field to deter shark attacks and are used by surfers, scuba divers, snorkelers, spearfishers, ocean kayak fishers, swimming areas off boats and for ocean fishing.
You don't become the subject of a movie like "Jaws" without being dangerous in real life. Indeed, the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) leads all other sharks in attacks on people and boats, as well as fatalities.
If a shark charges, fight back
“That happens nine times out of 10.” If that does not work, and a shark tries to bite a swimmer—or even has a limb in its mouth—Naylor says the best course of action is to poke the shark hard in the eyes.
To tell if a shark is near, watch for nature's signs like diving birds or agitated fish, notice unusual shadows or fins, and be aware of areas with fishing activity, but most importantly, listen to lifeguard warnings, avoid murky water, and observe sharks' behavior for signs of excitement or erratic movements, indicating you should calmly leave the water.
Just like we check under our beds for monsters, sharks check for dolphins before nodding off. That's right, the toughest kids on the undersea block swim in fear of dolphins.
Tamayo Perry was fatally attacked by a shark on June 23, 2024, while surfing near Goat Island off Oahu's North Shore, sustaining multiple bites, including severe injuries to his arm and leg, after which fellow surfers brought him to shore, where he was pronounced dead by paramedics. He was on a break from his job as a lifeguard when the incident occurred, and officials later posted shark warnings in the area.
Beaches patrolled by lifeguards are the safest to swim. Look for the red and yellow flags. If you don't see any red or yellow flags, there aren't any lifeguards on duty. This means you should avoid swimming at these beaches.
The most dangerous sharks in Australia, responsible for the majority of attacks, are the Great White, Tiger Shark, and Bull Shark, with the Bull Shark often cited as the most dangerous due to its aggressive nature, wide habitat (including freshwater rivers), and tendency to frequent shallow, populated coastal areas where humans swim. The Tiger Shark is also highly dangerous due to its large size and indiscriminate diet, while the Great White is notorious for its power and frequency in attacks.
Shark repellents have mixed results, with some electrical and magnetic devices showing effectiveness, particularly against smaller sharks and in reducing close-range encounters, but none offer 100% protection, and performance varies significantly between brands and species, with some still failing even with devices like Shark Shield or Sharkbanz, requiring users to understand their limitations and not rely on them as foolproof guarantees.
There are approximately 70-100 shark attacks annually resulting in about 5 deaths. To put things into perspective, here is a list of things that you're more likely to die from than a shark attack in the surf: Getting struck by lightning while simultaneously being attacked by a swarm of bees.
Players take turns rolling the die and fishing for the sea creatures using the fishing rods. But watch out – you never know when the shark is going to bite! No batteries required! Suspense and action hooks your kids at first bite!
If the shark is in attack mode try to fend off with your spear or hand at the end of the nose where the shark is most sensitive. Strike at the eyes or gills until the shark releases you or turns away. Exit the water as safely as you can with the aid of others, Seek emergency first aid.
Instead of swimming away: stand your ground, face the shark, make eye contact, extend your fins out if you can to ask for space, and if you absolutely need to then push firmly down on the top of the shark's head to guide them away from you, making sure to follow through as they swim away.
One of the most common and least dangerous sharks is the nurse shark.
Each year worldwide there are ~ 10 deaths attributable to shark attacks compared with ~ 150 deaths worldwide caused by falling coconuts. More people each year are killed by elephants, crocodiles, bees, and wars and many other dangers that confront us, than by sharks.
Other shark repellents that have been proposed include using the smell of dead sharks to deter live sharks from the area, which seems to show some promise – at least, when it comes to Caribbean reef sharks and blacknose sharks – according to a study by SharkDefense Technologies in 2014.
If this is your only option, and the shark is attacking, then punching a shark would mean aiming for its eyes or gills – its weak spots.