A leading shark expert has declared he is prepared to break fishing laws and face fines in a dramatic bid to highlight what he calls an urgent public safety crisis following a series of shark attacks in Sydney.
Three Attacks in 26 Hours Prompt Beach Lockdown
The dramatic warning from Joel Nancarrow, owner of Hunter Shark Jaw Restoration, comes after three people, including two children, were attacked by sharks in just 26 hours, leading to widespread beach closures. The most recent and serious incident occurred on Monday at North Steyne Beach in Manly, leaving a surfer in his 20s fighting for his life after being bitten on the lower leg.
Earlier that same day, an 11-year-old boy was knocked from his surfboard by a large shark at Dee Why Point, with the predator taking several bites out of the board. This attack followed another on Sunday afternoon at Shark Beach in Vaucluse, where a 12-year-old boy was bitten while swimming with friends at a popular jump rock outside the netted area.
'This is Real Life Danger,' Expert Warns
In an explosive online statement, Mr Nancarrow described the incidents as entirely predictable and warned the coming week could be 'the most dangerous time we will have seen in years'. He stated he would be packing his gear to go out and catch sharks, with bag limits 'loosely followed'.
'This isn't scare tactics, this is f****** real life danger. This will not be the last one,' he wrote. 'It's something I'm willing to do to prove a point and I'll pay the fine.' His comments suggest a deliberate intention to exceed legal catch limits to make a statement.
Perfect Storm of Conditions Drives Sharks Inshore
Mr Nancarrow and authorities point to a confluence of environmental factors creating a high-risk situation. Recent heavy rainfall, warm water, and resulting murky conditions are driving bull sharks out of river systems and into harbours and beaches in search of food.
'We can almost predict these incidents now,' Mr Nancarrow said, questioning why stronger public warnings are not issued. He explained that reduced visibility pushes large predators towards shore and that increased competition for food makes them more opportunistic. 'A 12-year-old child is a snack for something like these,' he starkly warned.
Superintendent Joseph McNulty echoed the concerns, describing the conditions for Sunday's attack as a 'perfect storm' caused by extra fresh water in the harbour and the splashing from people jumping. Police have urged people not to swim in murky, low-visibility water. Compounding the issue, heavy swell has prevented the operation of smart drumlines designed to alert authorities to shark activity along the NSW coast.
With female bull sharks capable of giving birth to up to 20 pups at a time, Mr Nancarrow warns that hundreds enter the harbour system each season, with fast-growing juveniles quickly becoming a danger as they mature. As Sydney's beaches remain on high alert, the debate over public safety, shark behaviour, and management strategies intensifies.
