Woman Dies in Shark Attack on NSW Beach, Man Critically Injured in Separate Incident
A woman has died and a man is in critical condition following separate shark attacks in New South Wales, Australia, on Monday, January 20, 2025. The incidents, occurring within hours of each other, have prompted renewed concern over increasing shark encounters along the Australian coastline.
While shark attacks remain statistically rare, experts note a broader trend of increasing shark bites in Australian waters over the past two decades. Factors contributing to this rise are complex, ranging from coastal population growth and climate change to shifts in prey distribution and increased participation in water sports. Despite the increase in bites, fatalities, when adjusted for population, might potentially be comparable to or even lower than those recorded in the 1930s due to improvements in emergency response, readily available first aid, and tourniquet access.
The first attack occurred at Shelly Beach near Port Macquarie, resulting in the death of a woman. Shortly after, a man was critically injured in an attack at Lighthouse Beach, Ballina. he was transported to hospital with meaningful injuries.
Professor Charlie Huveneers, director of Flinders University’s Marine and Coastal Research Consortium, stated in September 2024, “Broadly speaking, across Australia and over the last two decades, there’s been an increase in the number of shark bites.” He identified approximately 40 factors potentially contributing to the rise, including better wetsuits allowing for longer periods in the water, even during cooler months.
Australia recorded four fatal shark attacks in 2023 and seven unprovoked fatal attacks in 2020. Rob Harcourt, emeritus professor of marine ecology at Macquarie University, has suggested that current fatality rates, when considered per capita, are likely similar to or lower than those of the 1930s, thanks to advancements in emergency medical care.
