When was Sydney’s last shark attack? Actress Marcia Hathaway dies in 1963 Middle Harbour tragedy

Australia’s coastline is more than 16,000 miles long and around 170 of the 400 species of sharks inhabit Australian waters. 

Shark attacks can occur at any time of year in Australia but are more common during the summer months from November to April when millions of people flock to the beaches during the warmer weather. 

In 2020, Australia reported 22 unprovoked shark attacks which made up 38 per cent of the worldwide total. Of these, eight were fatal and made up half of all fatal shark attacks worldwide in 2020. 

On average, 77 shark attacks occur worldwide each year, with the US usually reporting the highest number. In 2020, Florida represented 48 per cent of all US shark attacks. 

In 2021, the Florida Museum of Natural History’s investigated 137 alleged shark attacks worldwide.

The US made up most of the attacks, reporting 47, one of which proved fatal when a surfer was killed – possibly by a great white – on Christmas Eve off the central coast of California, authorities said. The state of Florida reported more than half of all attacks in the US in 2021 – with a total of 28. 

There were 12 recorded shark attacks in Australia in 2021 and figures show three of these proved fatal. 

Paul Millachip, 57, was believed to have been the last person killed during a shark attack in Australia in 2021 before today when he was taken by a shark while swimming at a beach in North Fremantle in Perth in November – with the attack witnessed by multiple people.

The fatal attack followed warnings that shark attacks are increasing.

In the 1990s there were 82 recorded shark attacks in Australia, which jumped to 161 in the following decade.

From 2010 to 2020 there were 220 and in 2021 there were three deadly attacks reported in Australia.

Bond’s University researcher Dr Daryl McPhee said the rise in attacks worldwide was down to a number of factors including more people being on the water doing activities, in more remote locations, and also warmer oceans are forcing shark and their food supply to different areas.

‘There is a long term trend of an increasing number of shark bites in Australia and overseas,’ Dr McPhee told The Project.

‘Sharks are part of the marine environment and if we could track where every shark was you would find there would be a large shark on most popular beaches most days of the year.’

‘So we need to find ways to co-exist.’

Professor Callum Brown from Macquarie University said despite the increase in shark attacks they are still exceptionally rare.

He added that old school methods of shark control such as nets, drum lines, and culls were being replaced with newer methods which are potentially more accurate.

One such method is to deploy drones which scan the water and send images to an artificial intelligence computer which can accurately spot sharks.

There are also personal deterrents which work by emitting an electrical pulse but these have the be used within metres from a shark to be effective.

And finally there are camouflage wetsuit and surfboard decals which can prevent surfers from appearing like seals to hungry sharks.

‘Our fear is really, it’s driven by guts. Not really by any data or any sort of realistic estimate of what the actual risk is. You should be more scared of getting in your car.’ he said.