In fact, nearly all attacks in Australian coastal waters have been attributed to just three species: Great white sharks,
Nonetheless, the white, tiger and bull sharks are the “Big Three” in the shark attack world because they are large species that are capable of inflicting serious injuries to a victim, are commonly found in areas where humans enter the water, and have teeth designed to shear rather than hold.
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.
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.
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.
Shortfin Mako Shark
Considered the fastest of all sharks, the Shortfin Mako can reach speeds of up to 70km/hr. It has adapted a circulatory system which keeps its body temperature higher than that of the surrounding water and helps its muscles work more efficiently. Learn more about Shortfin Mako Sharks.
Australia's Great White crisis: “Esperance is the sharkiest place in the world right now… these are big, big sharks…they're eating humans like seals. It feels like we're being hunted!” "If people knew how many people are bumped off boards, how many Whites we're seeing close to shore, they'd be shocked.”
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.
The White Shark, more commonly referred to as the "Great White," has been reported to be involved in more attacks on humans than any other shark. Fossil remains suggest the Great White dates back to the early Eocene eras, which lasted from about 56 to 34 million years ago.
Human Encounters. Because of these characteristics, many experts consider bull sharks to be the most dangerous sharks in the world. Historically, they are joined by their more famous cousins, great whites and tiger sharks, as the three species most likely to attack humans.
Megalodons succumbed to global cooling due to the shrinking of their habitat, the vanishing of their favorite prey, and competition from other predators 3.5 million years ago.
While Deep Blue may be one of the largest fish in the ocean, these creatures can still be elusive and NOAA estimates a great white shark lifespan to be around 30-70 years so there's every chance Deep Blue is still alive and well in the ocean to this day.
4. Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) 24.6 feet / 7.5 m.
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!
There are many harmless sharks that are perfectly safe to swim with. One of the most common and least dangerous sharks is the nurse shark. Nurse sharks are docile sharks and they grow to a maximum of 15ft long, compared to the equally-as-gentle whale shark (which can grow to around 62ft)!
Rosie the Shark is a preserved great white shark located at Crystal World Exhibition Centre in Devon Meadows, Australia.
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.
Megalodon - the biggest shark that ever lived - was killed off by the Great White, according to new research. The huge and powerful sea monster was outcompeted for resources by its smaller and nimbler rival, say scientists.
The massive female great white, estimated to weigh about 1.6 tonnes, was the biggest ever internally tagged in Australia, and one of the largest in the world. The shark was measured at 5.04m to the fork in its tail, suggesting an overall length of around 5.3m.
Bondi Beach, Australia
There have been 139 shark bites since 2007, 15 of them fatal, according to the ISAF. Most of the attacks have taken place off the coast of New South Wales, the state where Bondi Beach is located.
Port Lincoln, situated on the Eastern tip of Eyre Peninsula, is known as the Seafood Capital of Australia. It's a 40-minute flight from Adelaide, the South Australian capital. It's from Port Lincoln that you'll embark on the shark adventure of a lifetime.