4 shark bites in 48 hours: how what we do on land may shape shark behaviour

"The four recent shark incidents in New South Wales followed an intense rainstorm that flushed runoff from land into the state’s coastal waters, reducing visibility and carrying pollution and waste into the sea."

"A 2019 study found tiger and white sharks are more likely to attack after heavy rainfall. This is partly because heavy rainfall flushes out more nutrients to sea, which leads to higher fish populations near the shore. In turn, this attracts sharks."

"Long-term solutions lie upstream."
"Investment in stormwater management, wastewater infrastructure and runoff reduction helps stabilise coastal conditions and improve ocean health. It can also help reduce biological pressures by limiting parasite exposure."
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https://theconversation.com/4-shark-bites-in-48-hours-how-what-we-do-on-land-may-shape-shark-behaviour-273889
#ocean #pollution #runoff #DebrisBalls #Sydney #NSW #coast #beach #waste #cats #MarineAnimals #sharks

4 shark bites in 48 hours: how what we do on land may shape shark behaviour

Recent shark attacks may be linked less to shark behaviour – and more to the pollutants, pesticides and parasites humans send into the ocean.

The Conversation
Mystery ‘debris balls’ return to NSW beaches as residents warned to steer clear

Central Coast council says residents should not touch the balls and avoid beaches where they wash ashore

The Guardian