Written By Edie Tassel and Mia Jones
PHOTO:(Flickr: Bernard Dupont)
Shark attacks woman in her 50’s on Congwong Beach near one of Sydney's most popular beaches. The Shark attacked the woman's leg at about 7.00pm, she was rushed by paramedics to St George hospital where she underwent surgery to treat her wounds.
There are some beaches that now remain closed as the authorities search for the shark.
Dr Vic Peddemors said he had examined the photographs of the woman's wounds and has decided it was a Great White shark that was responsible for the attack.
Dr Peddemors said that the shark was a “juvenile” and that the woman is in stable condition and there is no need to put up shark nets seeing that it was only a single great white.
The local community is shocked and concerned as it is the first confirmed shark attack in Randwick City for over 25 years.
“From all accounts the woman was very lucky and certainly the whole community's heartfelt thoughts are with her for a full recovery," Cr Shurey said.
To prevent the amount of shark attacks across Australia there is an ongoing SMART (shark management alert in real time) drumline trial. The SMART drumline program is a 6 month trial to help prevent shark attacks at beaches in Forster and Tuncurry, Coffs Harbour and Sawtell.
Last year there were a total of 18 shark attacks in australia and the tags will hopefully decrease the number.
Researcher Paul Butcher from the DPI’s Fisheries Conservation Unit said this will reduce the threat of sharks attacks as the sharks will be effectively removed when sharks come too close.
"It can reduce the likelihood of an attack or incident with a dangerous shark," he said “But at the same time we're getting that scientific data to tell us where they are on those beaches and when they're moving along our coastline."
To prevent the amount of shark attacks across Australia there is an ongoing SMART (shark management alert in real time) drumline trial. The SMART drumline program is a 6 month trial to help prevent shark attacks at beaches in Forster and Tuncurry, Coffs Harbour and Sawtell.
Last year there were a total of 18 shark attacks in Australia and the tags will hopefully decrease the number.
Researcher Paul Butcher from the DPI’s Fisheries Conservation Unit said this will reduce the threat of shark attacks as the sharks will be effectively removed when sharks come too close.
"It can reduce the likelihood of an attack or incident with a dangerous shark," he said “But at the same time we're getting that scientific data to tell us where they are on those beaches and when they're moving along our coastline."
There is a justice issue related to this report on shark attacks. The issue is that there is no need to keep netting our local marine life and culling our beautiful sharks. They are part of our ecology and serve a higher purpose in our beautiful oceans.
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