• When visiting a new beach always seek local advice. e.g.: In southern waters (particularly in the Great Australian Bight) do not swim or surf near seal colonies. Seals are a main food source for White Pointers.
• Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual.
• Do not stray too far from shore. This isolates an individual and additionally places one far away from assistance.
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours (dusk and dawn). This is when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
• Do not enter or stay in the water if bleeding. Sharks can sense blood diluted millions of times in water.
• Do not urinate in the water.
• Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
• Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by recreational or commercial fisherman, especially if there are signs of bait fish or feeding activity.
  • Diving seabirds are good indicators of fish feeding activity.
  • Do not swim after handling fish until you have washed your hands, arms and any traces of the fish off your body.
• Sightings of dolphins do not indicate the absence of sharks. Both often feed on the same school of fish.
• If you see fish, squid or turtles coming inshore, or zooming across wave faces in unusual numbers, or swimming in an erratic manner, get out of the water and watch from the shore. The sea life is probably fleeing from predators, possibly sharks.
• Take time to consciously scan the water when sitting up on your surfboard. You will be looking out for waves anyway.
  • Most big sharks (tigers) can be seen in time to safely leave the water.
    • Unfortunately, White Pointers have a tendency to appear from directly under their selected prey if in deep water.

• When paddling or swimming away from a shark, use the smoothest stroke you can muster in the situation. Panic will attract the shark.
• Use extra caution when waters are murky.
  • Open beaches rather than rivermouths or estuaries have clearer water and less fish (shark food) attracting nutrients.
  • Sharks test by nudging or tasting if they can't see.
• Avoid uneven tanning and bright coloured bathers or wetsuits. Sharks see contrast particularly well.
• Refrain from excess splashing. Do not allow pets in the water because their erratic swimming movements will attract curious sharks.
• Exercise caution when in the channel between sandbars or near steep drop-offs. These are favourite hangouts for sharks (and unfortunately surfers as well).
• Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present (a shark alarm siren will sound if a shark is sighted at a patrolled beach).
  • Consider swimming or surfing at patrolled beaches for more safety.
• Leave the water if sharks are there (obvious, but there is no accounting for the way some people think).
• Do not harass a shark if you see one. It may harass you back.
• Have a well stocked first aid kit with lots of dressings, bandages and possibly a jelly rubber tourniquet, especially if you are surfing at remote beaches. Being able to stop bleeding while an attack victim is carefully transported may save their life.
• For surf trips to remote beaches consider inviting a friend who is a doctor, a nurse, at least a surf lifesaver.

Disclaimer: Surfrider Foundation Australia volunteer researchers provide this information in good faith but advise that there is no substitute for common sense. Whilst all care has been taken when preparing the information to ensure its accuracy and validity, the information is not offered as a substitute for taking responsibility for your own personal safety. Sharks are in the ocean. Enter at your own risk.