Australia fends off shark threats with innovation

Despite the risks, Australians remain devoted to the ocean. A 2024 survey showed nearly two-thirds of the population made a total of 650 million coastal visits in one year. After a fatal shark attack in September that claimed surfer Mercury Psillakis, his family described it as “a tragic and unavoidable accident.”

Scientists warn that rising ocean temperatures and shifting migratory patterns may be increasing shark encounters, even as overfishing reduces their numbers. Since 1791, Australia has recorded more than 1,280 shark incidents, including 260 fatalities.

High-tech defense: Tracking and shepherding sharks

Authorities are combining new technologies with traditional safety methods to reduce attacks. Their multi-layered strategy includes drones, acoustic tracking devices, and real-time alert systems, alongside traditional nets.

Drones alone spotted over 1,000 sharks off New South Wales in the past year. When a shark is sighted, rescuers guide it back to deeper waters using jet skis or inflatable boats. Pilots focus on three species deemed most dangerous — great white, tiger, and bull sharks — with great whites responsible for 42% of attacks since 2000.

Controversy over shark nets

Shark nets, a decades-old method, remain a divisive issue. Although widely used in New South Wales and Queensland, critics say they do little to stop sharks and harm other marine life, including turtles and dolphins.

Some councils considered removing the nets in 2025, but plans were reversed after a fatal attack reignited public concern. Marine scientist Leonardo Guida argues that nets can act as a “dinner bell,” attracting sharks to trapped carcasses.

Instead, experts support alternatives such as smart drumlines — devices that alert authorities when a shark bites the bait — and a mobile app, Shark Smart, which notifies beachgoers in real time if a tagged shark is nearby.

Innovation in protection: Bite-resistant gear and deterrents

Researchers are also focusing on personal protection. New wetsuits made from bite-resistant materials may help minimize blood loss, a leading cause of death in shark attacks.

Studies by Professor Charlie Huveneers at Flinders University found that electronic devices disrupting sharks’ electro-sensory systems can reduce bites by about 60%. “Australia is at the forefront of shark bite mitigation,” Huveneers said. “We can actually save lives.”

Balancing human safety and shark conservation

Even as efforts intensify to protect humans, conservationists stress the need to safeguard sharks. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, around 37% of oceanic shark and ray species are endangered or critically endangered.

While shark encounters inspire fear, statistics show that drowning remains a far greater threat, claiming 357 lives in the 12 months to June 2025.