On June 13, 2026, Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of a one-year-old girl, was swimming close to shore at Coogee Beach in Sydney when a great white shark attacked her, causing catastrophic injuries. She suffered multiple bites to her arms and legs, extreme blood loss, and underwent an arm amputation. After a week in an induced coma, she briefly woke and whispered "I love you" to her mother and partner. Her recovery will require months of surgery and rehabilitation. Stewart's attack is part of a pattern: in 2026 alone, Australia has seen a spate of shark incidents, including four attacks in a 48-hour period in January—one of which killed a young boy—and two fatal attacks in May (a spearfisherman in Queensland and a father of two in Western Australia).
Shark attacks are rare but highly publicised events. In Australia, species like great white sharks are protected under law, and NSW Premier Chris Minns has confirmed they cannot be culled. Instead, authorities are turning to technology: the NSW government plans to roll out "world-leading" shark drones across more beaches. These drones, which have not yet been deployed at scale anywhere else in the world, aim to detect sharks near swimmers. Meanwhile, data from tagged sharks shows that juvenile white sharks move northward along the NSW coast in late autumn and early winter, when waters cool—a factor that may contribute to higher encounters.
“Explaining the recent spate of shark attacks in Australia and what is being done to prevent them.”
For UK readers, the threat of shark attacks may seem distant, but Australia remains a top travel destination for British tourists, especially for beach holidays. Understanding the realities of shark risk—and the measures being taken—can help travellers make informed decisions. Attacks are extremely rare; the odds of being bitten are minuscule. However, the publicity of incidents like Stewart's can shape perceptions. The fundraising page set up for her has raised over $488,000 (Australian dollars), reflecting public sympathy and concern.
Q: Why are there more shark attacks in Australia recently? A: There is no single cause. Seasonal factors, such as the northward migration of juvenile white sharks in autumn/winter, may increase shark presence near beaches. Also, more people are entering the water, and better detection methods (e.g., drones, tagged sharks) mean sightings are reported more often. The recent spate includes a cluster in January 2026—four attacks in 48 hours—and two fatal attacks in May.
Q: Are great white sharks protected in Australia? A: Yes. Great white sharks are a protected species under Australian law. The NSW Premier has stated they cannot be targeted for culling. The focus is on non-lethal mitigation, such as drone surveillance and tagging programs.
Q: What should swimmers do to stay safe? A: Follow local advice from lifeguards and the Shark Smart app. Swim at patrolled beaches, avoid dawn/dusk, and stay in groups. Authorities use listening stations and drones to detect tagged sharks; if a shark is spotted, beaches may close temporarily.
What happens next? Leah Stewart faces a long recovery with more surgeries. The NSW government is accelerating its shark drone program, with a goal to deploy them at more beaches. The debate between protecting swimmers and conserving sharks continues, but for now, technology is the preferred solution. The coming months will test whether drones can provide a scalable, effective deterrent—and whether they offer peace of mind to beachgoers like Stewart.