Beach Safety: Beachsafe is an online beach safety portal for all Australians and visitors. / Marine Creatures

Visiting the beach > Beach Safety > Marine Creatures

Marine Creatures

Shark Safety.




Why is shark safety important to you?
The Australian marine environment is home to many creatures including sharks. Statistically, the chances of coming into contact with a shark are very low and other forms of accidental death and injury particularly drowning are far more common for beach users, e.g. on average 1 person is killed by a shark each year but over the same period on average 87 people drown along our coast.

There are over 360 species of sharks in the ocean, which vary is shape, size and behaviour of which only a few are perceived to be dangerous.



Shark safety guidelines



To reduce the likelihood of contact with a shark:
  • Swim between the red and yellow patrol flags and surf at patrolled beaches
  • Obey the advice of lifesavers and lifeguards and all flags and notice board warnings
  • Leave the water immediately if a shark is sighted
  • Do not swim or surf after dusk, at night or before dawn. This is when sharks are typically most active
  • Do not swim or surf in murky waters
  • Do not swim in or near mouths of estuaries, artificial canals and lakes
  • Never swim alone Never swim when bleeding
  • Do not swim near schools of fish or where fish are being cleaned
  • Do not swim near or interfere with shark control equipment
  • Do not swim with animals.