Sharks in Booderee National Park | factsheet
Visitors are warned that sharks are common off beaches in and around Booderee National Park, and a number of shark species which occur here are potentially dangerous. There have been no recorded shark attacks in the region, but there is a small risk. Shark numbers are highest from December to March.
No beaches in the Park are patrolled or netted. The McDonalds Aerial Patrol currently overflies beaches from Stanwell Park to Batemans Bay which includes Jervis Bay on weekends and public holidays in Summer. The light aircarft will alert swimmers of sharks by sounding a siren. Park Rangers and Police will alert swimmers if dangerous sharks have been reported near swimming beaches.
There are things that you can do to reduce the likelihood of a shark attack.
- Don't go swimming or wading in the sea between dusk and dawn. Many shark and ray species are more likely to be active and feeding at that time.
- Don't swim alone. Swim with other people.
- Don't swim in murky waters or in estuaries such as Sussex Inlet. Dangerous bull sharks favour those types of waters.
- Don't swim around seal colonies, and avoid large schools of bait fish, often noticeable by activity on the surface and sea birds diving into the water. Sharks feed on fish, seals, and seabirds.
- Don't swim near wharves and boat ramps where people clean fish and discard carcasses. Sharks are attracted to blood.
