WOLLONGONG ADVERTISER
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After the recent shark sightings and attacks on the north coast there are concerns about what protections are in place to keep Illawarra beachgoers safe this summer.
Shark nets, aerial patrols and lifeguard patrols are some of the safeguards, but swimmers should also be proactive about staying safe and being aware of the dangers.
Surf Life Saving Illawarra director Anthony Turner believes that awareness, education and common sense are important in reducing the risk.
He has been involved in surf lifesaving for 26 years and said he had only needed to move sharks away from a patrolled location twice.
"I think it's a lot safer in the ocean than on our roads, so it's just unfortunate that there's been more activity up north. We're entering their domain so we need to be proactive and mindful," Mr Turner said.
There have been a number of recent shark attacks on the north coast and there is debate over whether to cull sharks. A bodyboarder was rescued after being mauled by a shark near Port Macquarie last Saturday.
Shark activity affected last week's Australian Bodyboard Titles at Coffs Harbour and the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open surfing event at Lennox Head in July.
The final 1½ heats of the bodyboarding titles were cancelled after numerous shark sightings. There were two separate shark attacks within 24 hours of the Skullcandy contest, which went ahead with extra aerial support.
One of the planes involved was the Albion Park-based Bendigo Bank Aerial Patrol, which has been scanning the coast between Stanwell Park and Mollymook for sharks for the past 58 years.
"We could help keep the competition organisers up to speed on any shark activity or potential threats," Bendigo Bank Air Patrol general manager Harry Mitchell said.
"The Illawarra and the South Coast can be proud that they have possibly one of the three dedicated shark patrol platforms in the country," he said.
"The community expect to see the plane over their beaches every summer and they do."
Lifesaver One, the Westpac lifesaver helicopter from Sydney, is also sent down to the Illawarra when required.
Surf Life Saving Illawarra will be increasing jet-ski surveillance in patrolled and non-patrolled areas over summer.
"We always advise members of the public to swim between the flags, that way lifesavers are there to monitor the risk and maximise swimmer safety," Mr Turner said.
Wollongong City Council runs beach safety programs in schools before the swimming season begins, Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club media officer Larry Jennett said.
Mr Jennett said swimmers should avoid swimming when there are large schools of bait fish around, in murky water and at sunrise and sunset.
"However, [this] doesn't give you automatic protection from sharks. It's just being aware that there are areas where sharks tend to be more prevalent," Mr Jennett said.
"The percentage being attacked is very low, except it's had a high profile over the last couple of months."
Shark nets are in place at South Wollongong, North Wollongong, Coledale, Austinmer and Thirroul beaches, but do not cover the entire beach and act more as a preventative measure rather than physical barrier.
"It interrupts their patterns, that way sharks don't become territorial in that area and they move sharks on," Mr Turner said.