A shark has bitten off a man’s foot in Queensland's Whitsunday Islands. With three experts agreeing that it’s not uncommon to have negative media attention after a shark-human interaction, but the reportage surrounding the Cid Harbour attacks was “by far the worst”. Be nice to them and they will be nice to you. Several of those incidents occurred at Cid Harbour, about 10km from Hook Passage. If shark populations decline, we can expect devastation worldwide as the ecosystem falls out of balance. “You get a lot of young sharks that are maybe not as savvy in their choice of diet.” Cid Harbour is the known spot for shark attacks in the Whitsundays with an unusual cluster occurring in 2018. In the 1990s, the average number of unprovoked attacks in Australia was 6.5 per year. Don’t let the presence of sharks deter you from visiting Cid Harbour; it's a fantastic overnight anchorage offering several protected coves and good fishing. There is still so much to learn about these incredible animals, and it is our responsibility to ensure their survival in order to protect the delicate balance their presence maintains in our oceans. Shark Species of the Whitsundays. It’s highly likely that when you meet a shark while snorkelling or diving, they will swim away. THREE shark attacks in the same harbour — in one of Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations — has led to the Government holding crisis talks tomorrow to find a solution. In doing this, they balance the delicate ecosystem that makes up the Great Barrier Reef. Sharks are a fact of life in Australia, there When it comes to keeping guests safe, education is a more powerful tool, rather than the complacency which may come about from installing electronic shark deterrents. Image Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland. Also “many of the articles written about the event included images of popular tourist destinations of the Whitsundays where the attack did not take place”. Drumlines … These shark species are largely shy and non-aggressive, fleeing quickly at the sight of swimmers. The sharks in the Whitsundays range significantly in size. In this post, we will outline what sharks you can expect in the Whitsundays, SharkSmart guidelines, what is being done and being aware of the sensationalised press around Whitsunday shark attacks. In their hunting, sharks take out larger species of fish, such as groupers, leaving more space for smaller species to flourish. Swedish nurses Emma Andersson and Billy Ludvigsson helped saved the life of a British tourist bitten by a shark in the Whitsundays. While not a frequent flyer in the Whitsundays, whale sharks have been known to visit these famous 74 islands and outer reef on occasion, with the most recent sighting (and up-close interaction!) Daryl McPhee, an expert in unprovoked shark bites from Bond University, shares the press was “a perfect example of what not to do. Join us in the Whitsundays and enjoy the freedom to explore, Learn more and book or contact us today 1800 075 000 or sales@rentayacht.com.au, Skipper yourself bareboat charters "No Swimming" signs have been posted at locations like Cid Harbour, similar to the crocodile warning signs in the Proserpine River, and hopefully, visitors to the region will heed these warnings. Phone: +61 (7) 4946 9232 Never swim at dawn or dusk, and ask the locals about areas to avoid that have a muddy bottom, or are a well-known fishing area. While media outlets and Hollywood have portrayed these creatures as terrifying maneaters, any rare incidences have been a case of mistaken identity. The Whitsundays, 74 Island Wonders located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, on the tropical coast of Queensland, Australia. It’s unlikely you will encounter a more dangerous shark while snorkelling in the shallow fringing reefs around the Islands. MONDAY’S fatal Whitsundays shark attack has once again raised the issue of how to tackle the problem of attacks in Queensland waters. A range of different shark species are present in and around Cid Harbour, including tiger sharks, bull sharks, blacktip sharks, hammerhead sharks, spot tail sharks and tawny nurse sharks. This is the most frequently sighted shark in the Whitsunday Islands and is non-aggressive towards humans. Sharks play an important part in this ecosystem and act as the largest apex predator in their environment. and yep, it’s true - you are more likely to be struck by lightning than to have a negative encounter with a shark. Therefore, education and shark awareness are key to safely enjoying this spectacular Australian environment. A British backpacker had his foot bitten off after being attacked by a shark off Airlie Beach in Queensland’s Whitsundays, with another man also sustaining serious leg injuries. The Whitsunday Islands are part of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, making them home to vast amounts of marine life including many species of shark.Â. No swimming signs are seen around Cid Harbour to keep everyone safe. ARE READY TO HELP YOU, Shark Smart: Shark Safety in the Whitsundays. In fact, their role is vital to the health and well-being of this amazing part of the world. It was a very rare occurrence, apparently the last shark attack in the whitsundays was 8 years ago. The Whitsunday Islands support an array of plant and animal species, both in and out of the water. Research has included surveying guests after their charter and keeping track of the food waste coming off vessels to monitor whether scraps are being thrown overboard. 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