Karmactive Staff
Sydney’s beaches set a new normal: sharks are staying longer each year as the water gets warmer.
Warming of the water binds more minerals, which is attracting many small fish along with bigger predators like sharks, which are also regularly cited near the shores. There have been over 20 shark sightings in Sydney’s harbors and beaches since the start of the year.
A expert from Sydney’s sealife aquarium says, “ The water is nice and warm, full of large species as well, which is ideal hunting grounds for these sharks.”
For people who love swimming at Sydney’s beaches, this means being shark-smart for more months of the year. The SharkSmart app shows several tagged bull sharks swimming near Sydney beaches right now.
As waters warm up, Sydney can expect more visits from other sharks too. Tiger sharks, which usually stay in warmer northern waters, are starting to show up more often. But almost every shark encounter in Sydney Harbor involves bull sharks, not tigers or great whites.
“Fish have a high degree of behavioral plasticity and compare favorably to humans and other terrestrial vertebrates across a range of intelligence tests,” said Professor Culum Brown from Macquarie University in an interview with Shark Research Institute.
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Administration is considering ways to keep swimmers safe. The old mesh nets that float offshore often hurt turtles and dolphins without actually stopping sharks. That’s why most beach areas are switching to better options, like using drones to spot sharks and SMART drumlines.
It is important to acquire some lifestyle changes to continue swimming at Sydney’s famous beaches. However, with better technology to track sharks, improved safety measures, and smart swimming habits, people can still enjoy the water while sharing it safely with its marine residents.
“ Do not swim during dawn and dusk, as that’s there main hunting time; also avoid murky waters. Additionally, stay away from large schools of fishes or groups of birds,” warns the expert from Sydney’s sealife aquarium.
