Most Australians don't fear shark attacks, feel safe in the sea and don't support killing sharks to make beaches safer.

According to a new poll by UMR research, 83 per cent of Australians haven't changed how often they swim, surf or take part in other recreational activities in the ocean because of the risk of shark attack.

A great white shark. The sharks may live for more than 70 years.

UMR found that 78 per cent of 500 adults interviewed feel safe from shark attacks when going into the ocean, 82 per cent don't think that sharks should be killed and say people enter the water at their own risk.

Nine per cent of those interviewed say they have cut back their beach going activities "a little bit", while 5 per cent say they have reduced their time in the water "by a lot".