Shark Watch: Expert Tips to Avoid Encounters

Marine consultant Kent Stannard, with two decades of experience tracking white sharks, offers crucial advice for water users. He emphasizes that while sharks are fearsome predators, they dislike being observed. Stannard suggests that anyone encountering a shark should avoid thrashing, which can activate the animal, and instead calmly paddle towards shore.

For surfers, grouping together and slowly moving to the sand is recommended, always keeping eyes on the shark. Stannard notes that sharks tend to be more wary when observed. He champions electronic tagging and drone surveillance as the most effective methods for warning the public about nearby predators.

Stannard has observed an increase in white shark reports along the Victorian coast, from Portland to East Gippsland, in the past six months. While no tagged white sharks have been detected in Port Phillip Bay, they have been sighted near Seal Rocks and Corner Inlet. Despite ample food sources in Bass Strait minimizing conflicts, increased human activity in the water heightens encounter risks.

Dr. Rebecca Olive from RMIT University explains that shark attacks are emotionally impactful as they remind humans of their place in the food chain. She notes that while aggressive acts are rare, understanding marine environments and potential shark habitats, like migration routes or areas with beached whales, can help minimize risks. Surfing Victoria's Surfers Rescue Program offers free online training for medical emergencies, including shark bites.