Overview

The risk of shark-related deaths in Australia is a long term average of about one per year. More people die in Australia each year from bee stings and from being struck by lightning.

Moreover, shark experts warn that swimmers in harbours and rivers could be at greater risk of an attack than bathers at open surf beaches.

Potentially, the four most dangerous sharks
White Shark	Carcharodon carcharias	Responsible for most cool water attacks, particularly on divers
Bull Shark	Carcharhinus leucas	Omnivorous, aggressive, opportunistic feeder
Tiger Shark	Galeocerdo cuvier	Omnivorous, aggressive, opportunistic feeder
Oceanic Whitetip Shark	Carcharhinus longimanus	Not normally found near land - probably responsible for most open-ocean attacks, particularly after air or shipping disasters
There are about 370 species of sharks world-wide. Nearly all fatal attacks on humans can be attributed to the above four species. Source: CSIRO

Shark Nets

Shark nets are not a perfect barrier. Sharks can swim over, under and around nets. They work mainly by reducing the number of sharks in the area. This lessens the chance of a shark attack.

Shark nets are about 400 metres from the beach running along the beach.

Drum Lines

The Queensland Shark Control Program uses another technique in addition to nets: hooks baited with fresh fish suspended from buoys to catch the sharks - again 3~400 meters offshore.

Hooks with fresh bait are placed in areas where sharks may be a problem. The bait, often sea mullet, is checked every two days. About once a month the lines, hooks and buoys are completely removed and serviced.

In an emergency, telephone 000