Shark warning: ‘Expect to see more at this time of year’

A LEADING shark expert has warned beachgoers more sightings of deadly sharks can be expected after a Gold Coast beach was twice evacuated on Australia Day.

Burleigh Heads beach was closed twice on Thursday, first when a “fourfoot shark” was spotted roughly 150 metres offshore at 8.45am and again when two sharks “believed to be dangerous” were spotted during a helicopter patrol at about 4.30pm.

Surf lifesavers believed after the first sighting that the shark may have been attracted by the decomposing carcass of a loggerhead turtle up the beach.

Bond University’s resident shark guru Dr Daryl Mcphee (pictured) issued a warning to swimmers and surfers, saying the sightings would not be the last.

“We can expect to see bull sharks and whalers in our waterways at this time of year,” he said.

“The water is warm and that brings sharks. Sharks are a part of our ecosystem and utilise our beach habitat so it’s something that we need to live with.”

Dr Mcphee said the sharks were unlikely to have been able to smell the loggerhead turtle carcass while it was on the sand.

“A shark’s sense of smell is often overstated but there is a likelihood if the turtle was dead in the water first it could have emanated an odour plume in the water,” he said.

“Lifesavers did the right thing by closing the beaches temporarily despite the sharks not being particularly large.”

Dr Mcphee urged beachgoers to remain vigilant when entering the water.

“To stay shark smart remember to always swim between the flags, follow directions from lifeguards, never swim alone or at dawn or dusk and avoid swimming near animal carcasses or large schools of baitfish,” he said.

Mr Mcphee said Loggerhead turtles were known to nest along parts of the Gold Coast beachfront where dune habitat was still intact – mainly along Hedges Ave and South Stradbroke Island.