ABC News Daily What caused the surge in shark attacks?
Jan 20, 2026
Chris Pepin-Neff, an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Sydney and shark policy expert, dives into the alarming increase in shark attacks along the NSW coast. He explains how recent heavy rains have washed sewage into waters, attracting bull sharks closer to shore. Pepin-Neff discusses the reduced visibility from runoff and emphasizes the importance of improved public warnings post-storm. He also critiques ineffective shark nets and urges for long-term safety measures, advocating for education rather than culling as the solution.
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Rain-Driven Sewage Attracts Sharks
- Heavy rain flushed raw sewage into Sydney Harbour, attracting bait fish and drawing bull sharks closer to shore.
- Chris Pepin-Neff links the harbour bite on a 12-year-old to this post-storm pollution-driven feeding behaviour.
Murky Surf Increases Bite Risk
- Runoff and murky, foamy ocean conditions after storms also attract bull sharks to ocean beaches.
- Chris Pepin-Neff explains that low visibility makes bull sharks more likely to bump and bite objects like boards or people.
Bull Sharks Tend To 'Bite' Frequently
- Bull sharks bite more frequently than larger species, so multiple bites point to bull shark involvement.
- Chris Pepin-Neff notes surfers' boards being bitten is a telltale sign of bull shark behaviour.