NSW shark sightings jump but attacks stay rare
SharkWatch drones detected more than 1,200 sharks off NSW between July and August, triggering 360 beach interventions.
NSW recorded 1,200 shark sightings detected by drone operations between July and August, leading to 360 interventions including beach evacuations and siren warnings. Marine expert Dr Rob Harcourt said this reflects greater awareness and more people swimming, not an increase in actual shark attacks.
The three species involved in most attacks are bull sharks, tiger sharks and white sharks. Bull sharks are most common near beaches as they tolerate fresh water and swim into rivers and harbours, hunting mainly at dusk and dawn.
For safety, swim between the flags and in a group. Avoid dusk and dawn swimming, and don't swim where people are fishing.
Drowning kills far more people than sharks: in 2025, 60 people died in NSW coastal drownings but only four from shark bites.
- 1,200
- Sharks detected
- 360
- Beach interventions
- 60
- NSW drowning deaths 2025
- 4
- Shark bite deaths 2025
Why it mattersYou're more likely to drown than be attacked by a shark, so beach safety means managing wave and current risk above all else.
AustraliaSummer swimmers should use patrolled beaches with SharkWatch drones and swim between the flags; drowning is the bigger risk than sharks.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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