AUSTRALIAN researchers believe sharks are swimming closer to beaches in search of food.

In a study that could be a game-changer for beach safety, a count is under way to find out if there are more great white sharks in our waters.

Fears more killers are lurking at popular swimming and surfing spots have been mounting after three fatal shark attacks this summer.

Scientists haven’t been able to provide an answer — the population and location of sharks in Australia has never really been known. But that could soon change.

The CSIRO and conservation group White Tag have embarked on a study at sea to tag baby sharks, take samples of their DNA and find out where they are swimming.

The data will be presented to the Federal Government and could be used to develop safety advice.

Scientists think warm ocean currents could be bringing schools of small fish closer to shore — and the sharks are following their noses.

“There isn’t a cause to panic,” White Tag founder Kent Stannard said.

“However, ocean users should be more informed and observant ... from now on, people have to be more connected to the environment.”



The research has so far uncovered Victoria’s white shark “nursery”, on the eastern side of Wilsons Promontory, and another at Port Stephens in New South Wales.

Mr Stannard said the sharks travelled between the two nurseries for the first five years of life, with populations most likely to be in Victoria in autumn.

Mystery still surrounds the location of Western Australia’s shark breeding ground, though the tagging group believes it may be east of Esperance.

“This is the most progressive research program of its type, in the world,” Mr Stannard said.

“Once we get a handle on the population size, then the Federal Government can develop policies and conservation objectives, as well as public safety.”

Mr Stannard said recent shark sightings could simply be the result of more people living on the coast and using the ocean for recreational activities.

“There’s changes in the environment and the sharks are responding,” Mr Stannard said.

“(Conditions) are constantly changing.”

Hundreds are expected at a gala fundraiser for White Tag this Friday at the Melbourne Aquarium.

RECENT FATAL SHARK ATTACKS

9 February, 2015: Japanese national Tadashi Nakahara, 41, is killed while surfing at Ballina, in northern NSW, where he had been working in a surf shop.

29 December, 2014: Jay Muscat, is killed at Chaeynes Beach, WA.

15 December, 2014: Daniel Smith, 18, is killed while fishing at Rudder Reef, off the coast of Port Douglas in far north Queensland.

9 September, 2014: Witnesses see a 3m great white shark at Byron Bay, where the body of Paul Wilcox, 50, is found floating.

3 April, 2014: Christine Armstrong, 63, is with her daily swimming group at Tathra Beach, NSW, when she is taken by what is believed to be a bronze whaler shark.

8 February, 2014: High school teacher Sam Kellet, 28, is killed by a suspected great white shark while spear fishing near Edithburgh, SA.

BITE-SIZE FACTS ON GREAT WHITE SHARKS

— Sharks tagged during the program have been known to swim as far as South Africa

— Some sharks have been recorded diving to depths of up to 1km

— White sharks are listed as vulnerable species in Australia and internationally

— Babies, known as pups, weigh a whopping 35kg when they’re born and already measure up to 1.5m.

SINCE 1791

979 shark attacks in Australia

231 were fatal

582 resulted in injury

Victims escaped unharmed in 170 cases.

Source: Australian Shark Attack File, Sydney’s Taronga Conservation Society

andrea.hamblin@news.com.au

Twitter: @AndieHamblin