this is continued form the kitesurfing forum post title shark attack at gracetown
ive started this post here cause it started to get off topic form the nature of the other forum
which to me was more about condolences and sympathy and show of support to the family and friends of the man fataly wounded in the attack not a discussion about sharks. SO!!!! im sure we can have a normal discussion about this topic

firstly - my condolences to the family and friends of Chris Boyd

secondly - if u love the water like millions of Australians then u should respect the water n all the fish and mammals it contains. respect the fact that when u go into the water u are in their environment no matter where u are in Australia (the best country) also u should respect the fact that when u enter the water be it, the ocean, beach or river system, there are creatures in there that can kill you, like sharks, stingers (jellyfish), crocs etc

thirdly - YES something should be done about. if you go on a cull and kill off the sharks in that area, other sharks from other areas are going to move in and take over that territory. their main food, like fish, seals, other sharks etc are in decline, but at the same time sharks numbers are increasing, which means shark hunting territory is decreasing. just want to point out that humans are NOT apart of a sharks diet.

SO - what I thinks needs to be done is take a accurate numbers of sharks and compare it to the number of natural prey that the sharks feed on and work out a way to balance it out. in other words increase the fish stocks (main diet of many sharks) and decrease shark numbers in a way that doesn't put the particular shark species on the endangered list. that doesn't mean let every tom, dick n harry go on a shark killing rampage for the fun of it.

ALSO - education - educate people on shark behaviour n movements. let people know what times of the year are sharks have more of a presence in certain areas and when they don't. this info can be put on a sign on a beach letting people know this is when sharks are around n when their not, what food they eat and behavioural movements. ie big school of fish close to shore, probably going to attract sharks don't go swimming near it. things like that. more investment and research into shark deterrent technology to help move them from a certain area.