For Local Authorities: Locate swimming and surfing beaches upcurrent from fishing beaches (i.e., fishing piers and surf fishing areas should be located several miles downcurrent from swimming and fishing beaches.)
Reason: Sharks learn to seek food in specific areas such as fishing piers, and surf fishing places bait in the water close to beaches. For Local Authorities: Locate shark-feeding sites at least a mile or offshore from swimming and surfing areas.
Reason: The distance from swimmers and surfers reduces the odds of negative encounters. Shark feeds, conducted properly, generally present only a minimal risk to submerged divers. They aid in dispelling unjustified fear of sharks and development of an appreciation for sharks and their critical role in maintaining the health of the ocean ecosystem. For Local Authorities: Prohibit hand feeding of sharks
Reason: Sharks learn and remember what they have learned. When a shark has learned to associate the human form with food it may present a significant danger to humans (swimmers or snorkelers) that it subsequently encounters. Sharks are wild animals and for similar reasons feeding bears in national parks is prohibited. For Local Authorities: Immediately following a shark attack, ban swimming and surfing for at least 5 days.
Reason: Environmental conditions which may have contributed to the attack may remain for some time..
For Individuals: Seek advice of local people before swimming, surfing or diving in areas where shark attacks have occurred.
Remain aware of your surroundings and the behavior of marine life nearby.
If you suddenly become uneasy, leave the water immediately.
Do not harass or touch any shark, even a small one.
If swimming or surfing do not enter the water when sharks are present, and leave the water the water slowly and quietly if they are sighted or you are
requested to do so by a lifeguard.
Do not swim, surf or dive alone
Do not stray far from shore
Avoid swimming at night.
Avoid murky or turbid water.
Avoid swimming close to river mouths.
Be cautious when swimming in the breakers.
Don't swim close to sandbars.
Be cautious crossing channels between sandbars or on the edge of steep drop offs.
Avoid swimming or surfing near jetties.
Do not corner a shark or cut off its path to open water.
Avoid swimming in areas where birds are diving into the water.
If schools of fish are milling nearby, do not attempt to chase them from the area.
If baitfish are leaping at or above the surface, leave the water immediately.
If spearfishing or collecting shellfish, do not attach your catch to a stringer at your waist, and stay alert when removing
If spearfishing, change your location frequently.
Avoid areas where any type of fishing activity is taking place or offal is dumped into the sea.
The presence of porpoises and dolphins may indicate sharks are hunting in the area.
Leave the water when pods of dolphin cluster or head inshore
Avoid swimming, surfing or diving in the vicinity of pinniped haul-outs or rookeries.
Avoid high contrast swim suits
Refrain from excess splashing or making quick, abrupt movements in the water.
Do not swim with dogs or horses.
If a shark approaches uncomfortably close, keep it at bay with your speargun or a shark billy.
If you are bitten by a shark and you are wearing a wetsuit, don't remove the wetsuit except to control arterial bleeding.
Take both a CPR course and an advanced first aid course.
Copyright © 2005, Shark Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved