The authorities have directed the closing of the northern beaches of Sydney following a spate of shark attacks because sharks continue to pose a risk in the area.
Some beaches along Sydney’s northern coast will remain shut down following an extension of precautionary arrangements due to shark attacks that injured swimmers along those shores.
Authorities took this step after consultations with Surf Life Saving NSW, local council representatives and state bodies in charge of maritime safety.
It has been reported that the situation is highly unpredictable with shark activity still being intermittently detected offshore.
The warmer waters the movement of bait fish and weather systems have been attributed to the situation though authorities indicated that shark patterns are highly unpredictable.
NSW Police and Surf Life Savers have maintained a strong beach presence in the impacted areas.
Drone surveillance and helicopter surveillance have been conducted to sweep the waters close to shore and the surveillance of smart drum lines and listening stations is ongoing to detect the presence of tagged sharks in the region.
Local councils said the decision to keep beaches closed was taken as a precaution given the notorious reputation of the northern beaches during summer.
Some residents have questioned the length of the closures but surf lifesaving officials said the priority must remain public safety.
The state government said it was working with scientists and marine experts to understand the recent spate of shark activity.
Scientists say white sharks a protected species under Australian law are known to move closer to shore during specific seasons as they follow prey.
The authorities equally made efforts to highlight that animals are part of the marine ecosystem and that encounters remain rare compared to the number of people who use the ocean every year.
Locals are also raising concern over the psychological impact that the attack is having on residents and families who regularly use the ocean.
Counseling services for affected residents are however available. Investigation processes are underway.
Official sources again reinforced the following essential safety guidelines for anyone venturing into the coastal zone swimming at patrolled beaches only when they reopen avoiding the water during dawn and dusk times and staying away from fish shoals.
Members of the public are also asked to report shark sightings to lifeguards.
There is no set time frame for when these closed beaches are set to reopen.
“The closures are planned to remain in place until there is a period with no sightings or detections of any of these species with advice from surf lifesavers and marine biologists,” said authorities.
