Is it just me or just it seem there are more white shark(s) closer to shore this year than usual on the Perth Metro coast?
I know they are always there - and am not usually too / at all concerned. Have seen a few whales and seals a lot more recently, quite close to shore.
It could just be me. Possibly in the context of the recent devastating attacks on the east coast.
Heading to exmouth next week to surf. Don't want to be constantly thinking about them. Even though they are there in numbers.
Any mind tricks or mental gymnastics? Considering a Rpela if it continues to consume thought.
Maybe a bit of harden up might do it...
More chance of Covid 19 killing you I'd reckon. Repla is a good idea if your overly consumed with the thought.
With the numbers of people surfing at the moment the odds of getting attacked are extremely low.
If it hits Reunion island levels of attacks I'd be concerned.
Select to expand quotefoamie said..
Is it just me or just it seem there are more white shark(s) closer to shore this year than usual on the Perth Metro coast?
I know they are always there - and am not usually too / at all concerned. Have seen a few whales and seals a lot more recently, quite close to shore.
It could just be me. Possibly in the context of the recent devastating attacks on the east coast.
Heading to exmouth next week to surf. Don't want to be constantly thinking about them. Even though they are there in numbers.
Any mind tricks or mental gymnastics? Considering a Rpela if it continues to consume thought.
Maybe a bit of harden up might do it...
Exmouth not really a drama they are well fed up there
Select to expand quotefoamie said..
Is it just me or just it seem there are more white shark(s) closer to shore this year than usual on the Perth Metro coast?
Not to sure. But had a close encounter with an unknown shark, on a metro northern reef break last Saturday.
Select to expand quoteoz surf said..foamie said..
Is it just me or just it seem there are more white shark(s) closer to shore this year than usual on the Perth Metro coast?
Not to sure. But had a close encounter with an unknown shark, on a metro northern reef break last Saturday.
were you surfing at toms oz ?
just had a shark swim right passed the line up there today !
Select to expand quotekatana said..oz surf said..foamie said..
Is it just me or just it seem there are more white shark(s) closer to shore this year than usual on the Perth Metro coast?
Not to sure. But had a close encounter with an unknown shark, on a metro northern reef break last Saturday.
were you surfing at toms oz ?
just had a shark swim right passed the line up there today !
No, next break south
Shark went through the line up at Scarborough on Saturday around 11. he followed a very large seal.
Hope they find a suitable meal in the form of a seal or something fishy and move on to deeper water.
I presume that fisheries would normally tag these sharks coming in so close to sure. Seems like they are settling in
Total disclaimer - I am not a shark expert but could there be sick, old, injured white(s) resting up close to shore looking for an easy feed?
I hope this means they can tag them as well Jesusgus, help prevent them sneaking up.
Select to expand quoteJESUSGUS said..
It would be nice to know when they are around.
www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity/
tagged ones are orange labels
www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/shark-attack-reported-at-popular-wa-surfing-spot-20200731-p55hfa.html
thewest.com.au/news/south-west/man-attacked-by-shark-at-bunker-bay-in-south-west-wa-ng-b881626173z
great white shark at the Farm - apparently surfers alive but injuries to legs.
Seems it was a false alarm.
Update from the Premier's media advisor.
"Latest update is that there is no longer a missing surfer in Exmouth. Sounds like a lot of misinformation. WAPOL and DPIRD will notify if anything changes.
Police have no reports of a missing person in that area as well. Apparently it all started by someone seeing a surfer "splash" through binoculars about 1km away."
There were boats and planes out everywhere searching, the word was he was taken.
Sounds like a good outcome in the end but "Saw a splash through binoculars" FFS.
Ive been chased in a few times this year at Scarboro. Had the alarm go off the other day and the life guards came cruising over and shut the beach. Seem to be more sharks around than usual.
A fella was telling me the other day that if sharks really wanted to eat humans we (surfers) would all be dead.
A 13yo was a breakfast bite this morning@ TownBeach(Townies) PortMacQuarie.
Presumed to be a Bull,The river runs out beside the beach.
A couple of months ago,a few coves distant, a juveWhite latched onto a ladys leg,it was Smoko time though.
If your brain can't handle the sharks stay out of there territory
sharks eats me mauls and kills me so be it
sea burial back into the food chain
i ask all to rejoice in my death and seek no retribution for my death
maybe I'll cry and call for my mummy in those few last seconds
but I'll continue to enjoy surfing alone more than with others
my theory is that seals aren't scared I've watched on multiple occasions a lone seal turn up and rid the break of dolphins up to 8 dolphins against one seal this particular seal would let the dolphins drop in then try to bight them
I think it's a game for seals like when I go over the falls and every one is laughing
when a seal gets munched the rest are like yeeeew old mate just got mauled
if i were a seal And a shark was chasing me if I could I'd use a pack of surfers like weaving through witches hats
it's primeval survival
enjoy your next dip if you can
Select to expand quoteUnemployable said..
If your brain can't handle the sharks stay out of there territory
sharks eats me mauls and kills me so be it
sea burial back into the food chain
i ask all to rejoice in my death and seek no retribution for my death
maybe I'll cry and call for my mummy in those few last seconds
but I'll continue to enjoy surfing alone more than with others
my theory is that seals aren't scared I've watched on multiple occasions a lone seal turn up and rid the break of dolphins up to 8 dolphins against one seal this particular seal would let the dolphins drop in then try to bight them
I think it's a game for seals like when I go over the falls and every one is laughing
when a seal gets munched the rest are like yeeeew old mate just got mauled
if i were a seal And a shark was chasing me if I could I'd use a pack of surfers like weaving through witches hats
it's primeval survival
enjoy your next dip if you can
Oh here we go, I guess I will be silenced again for voicing my opinion....whatever!!! Here we have it, a great example of the common carefree kook farkwit. Our children are growing up in a world, that is different to that we ourselves grew up in. Whaling ending in like '78, where sharks were shot on site, gun ownnership ending about 98 after port arthur, restricting people from carrying guns on their boats...marine biologists have continued pressing for "more research" $$$ in the face of obvious increase of shark related fatalitities (blood money). All culminating in more sharks with learnt behaviour changes as a result...No problem until it effects you personally. Big fark you to the above & "unemployable".
After 50 years surfing and diving in the Perth metro area and 30 years working as a marine biologist in WA, I am tired of hearing so much ill-informed rhetoric regarding sharks. So here are the facts as I see them. Sharks were rare during the 70's-80's, whaling had reduced the food available, there was a large commercial shark fishery providing fillets to fish and chip shops and when shark alarms sounded surfclubs rowed out to the shark, if it did not move away from the area the bowman attached a harpoon to the boat reel and the shark was speared and towed to shore.
After the 90's several things happened, whaling had ceased and the migration recommenced along our coast followed once again by large sharks, surfboats changed to IRB's which necessitated the removal of the harpoon for obvious reasons, the shark fishery ceased due to heavy metal concerns in their flesh.
In the 2000's Ken Crew was taken just meters from the shore and people became alarmed. They wanted something done, but a new vocal group arose that demanded protection for sharks citing that the ocean was their territory. In response government protected Great whites in 1999, implemented a non-lethal strategy of tagging sharks and producing a shark smart app so people would know where tagged sharks were. This was later supplemented with subsidised shark deterrent devices, drones and ocean barriers.
So here we are in 2021 and what have we gained. We know roughly where 120 tagged great whites are (about 10% of the adult population), but have no idea where thousands of other sharks are. We know the shark deterrent devices work, but only when the shark comes to within 2 m of you. We know drones and planes can spot sharks up to 3m below the water surface, but cannot see those lurking deeper. We know barriers work until they break under the unrelenting ocean surge. We know surfers and divers are still being killed by sharks.
What do we need to do. Firstly, we need to get rid of this hypocritical idea that the ocean is their territory, if you believe this, then recognise that where you live was originally Dugite or Tiger snake territory, so let them live inside your house and coil up on your bed. Secondly, we need to understand that sharks are fish. Everyday tons of fish are caught both commercially and recreationally off our coast. But for some reason killing a shark that has recently attacked a person is not acceptable. Thirdly, shark deterrent devices need to be critically reviewed, I cannot understand how a shark, the length and weight of a car without brakes, that is moving into attack a surfer at 40-50 km/h, will stop within the 2m distance between when it senses the electrical field before it hits the human. What is needed is a deterrent that works before the shark starts to move in for a kill, or preferably makes the shark avoid the area entirely.
Select to expand quoteMickPC said..
Oh here we go, I guess I will be silenced again for voicing my opinion....whatever!!! Here we have it, a great example of the common carefree kook farkwit. Our children are growing up in a world, that is different to that we ourselves grew up in. Whaling ending in like '78, where sharks were shot on site, gun ownnership ending about 98 after port arthur, restricting people from carrying guns on their boats...marine biologists have continued pressing for "more research" $$$ in the face of obvious increase of shark related fatalitities (blood money). All culminating in more sharks with learnt behaviour changes as a result...No problem until it effects you personally. Big fark you to the above & "unemployable".
oh the irony of you calling out someone for being a kook
FishDoc I agree with most of what you say, apart from the silly dugite comparison...
If you are who you say then you'll be well aware that it was statements from fishermen that GW's were low in numbers that lead to the protection of them. However those same people are now stating the opposite.
Yes sharks are just fish. Unfortunately there has been so much propaganda in support of them that they've become regarded as something special like a dolphin or a whale.
Personally I think we should implement a touristy game fishing scenario that is regulated to balance out the marine ecology. Its crazy fishing for everything except the top of the ocean food chain.
I would also like to see more fishing exclusion zones in places like Barren Beach Hopetown & 11 MIle Beach Esperance where I've been snorkling lately.
Right now the balance isn't right & its because some creatures are on the protected list, while others are not.
The huge increase in shark attacks within the last decade & a half cannot be ignored or discredited with some silly analogy. I'm very tired of hearing them.
Great white sharks aren't protected.........
I catch them and give them a good pelvis thrashing, nothing like mating an apex predator.
like seagulls, except seagulls die after sex, well the one I had sex with did...
Select to expand quoteFishDoc said..
After 50 years surfing and diving in the Perth metro area and 30 years working as a marine biologist in WA, I am tired of hearing so much ill-informed rhetoric regarding sharks. So here are the facts as I see them. Sharks were rare during the 70's-80's, whaling had reduced the food available, there was a large commercial shark fishery providing fillets to fish and chip shops and when shark alarms sounded surfclubs rowed out to the shark, if it did not move away from the area the bowman attached a harpoon to the boat reel and the shark was speared and towed to shore.
After the 90's several things happened, whaling had ceased and the migration recommenced along our coast followed once again by large sharks, surfboats changed to IRB's which necessitated the removal of the harpoon for obvious reasons, the shark fishery ceased due to heavy metal concerns in their flesh.
In the 2000's Ken Crew was taken just meters from the shore and people became alarmed. They wanted something done, but a new vocal group arose that demanded protection for sharks citing that the ocean was their territory. In response government protected Great whites in 1999, implemented a non-lethal strategy of tagging sharks and producing a shark smart app so people would know where tagged sharks were. This was later supplemented with subsidised shark deterrent devices, drones and ocean barriers.
So here we are in 2021 and what have we gained. We know roughly where 120 tagged great whites are (about 10% of the adult population), but have no idea where thousands of other sharks are. We know the shark deterrent devices work, but only when the shark comes to within 2 m of you. We know drones and planes can spot sharks up to 3m below the water surface, but cannot see those lurking deeper. We know barriers work until they break under the unrelenting ocean surge. We know surfers and divers are still being killed by sharks.
What do we need to do. Firstly, we need to get rid of this hypocritical idea that the ocean is their territory, if you believe this, then recognise that where you live was originally Dugite or Tiger snake territory, so let them live inside your house and coil up on your bed. Secondly, we need to understand that sharks are fish. Everyday tons of fish are caught both commercially and recreationally off our coast. But for some reason killing a shark that has recently attacked a person is not acceptable. Thirdly, shark deterrent devices need to be critically reviewed, I cannot understand how a shark, the length and weight of a car without brakes, that is moving into attack a surfer at 40-50 km/h, will stop within the 2m distance between when it senses the electrical field before it hits the human. What is needed is a deterrent that works before the shark starts to move in for a kill, or preferably makes the shark avoid the area entirely.
FishDoc, trying not to be a bitch as a local leader of shark huggers are us......but
You are a marine biologist, given the above in bold I take it shark behavior wasn't your field. And the snake analogy sort of invalidates your understanding of environments along with the territory thing really isnt a great look.
Still totally agree re the progressing of deterrents.
Still, good to hear your comments no doubt another raging shark debate will continue 
Select to expand quoteFishDoc said..
We know the shark deterrent devices work, but only when the shark comes to within 2 m of you.
Do we? Last time I saw any results they were hardly compelling.
I think we need to breed more sharks to help cull the influx of surfers. There was way less attacks years ago when the surf wasnt as crowded.
And the waves were better too.
So I think the answer is pretty clear, we need to breed more sharks or cull more surfers.
Glad to of helped.
Select to expand quoteI cannot understand how a shark, the length and weight of a car without brakes, that is moving into attack a surfer at 40-50 km/h, will stop within the 2m distance between when it senses the electrical field before it hits the human. What is needed is a deterrent that works before the shark starts to move in for a kill, or preferably makes the shark avoid the area entirely.
i have seen 4.5+ mt white sharks at full noise on attack turn on its own axis without even touching a surfboard on a research trip.
The real problem is the planet is over populated.Nature is in real trouble,to many people to feed,habitat being cleared for food production or waters being OVER FISHED,loss of diversity,a total imbalance has been achieved ,WELL DONE HUMANS.More surfers in the water,sharks think "there's an easy meal I'm starving and haven't eaten for weeks" .Tuff titty,every time you go for a surf it should be in the back of your mind- "this could be it".If your worried STAY OUT OF THE WATER but leave the animals alone.
I was in Esperance from Boxing Day for two weeks and the amount of sightings was a concern - at one point there was 11 sightings in 4 days on the Shark Smart app. and not all the same shark at adjacent beaches. Rolled up to West Beach one morning to see a nice clean shoulder high wave with no one out - locals told me a 4m white cleared the beach cruising 30m offshore... Got a little surf in at Wharton's then saw the FB footage for the day after... crazy stuff!
