Bull sharks are known to be “on the chomp” and “bumping” surfers in Gold Coast waters.
These are the key points
- Shark experts urge surfers not to go into the water in murky conditions.
- Floods on the south-east coast have created prime bull shark habitats
- A surf reporter explains that close encounters and illness can pose serious risks.
After weeks of heavy downfall from Bundaberg and Sydney, brackish floodwater is now flowing from river mouths to popular surfing spots. However, this has not stopped hundreds upon hundreds of surfers taking on big swells at points breaks on the weekend.
Daryl McPhee, associate professor of environment science at Bond University, stated that fresh water flow could not suit a specific predator better.
He stated, “Now it is a fantastic environment bull sharks to live adjacent to creek and river mouths such as Tallebudgera or Currumbin and even the seaway.”
“My suggestion: Put off [getting in the water]Until things are clear.”
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‘On the Chomp’
Terry “Tappa”, a surf reporter, said that bull shark activity has increased over the past week.
He said, “blokes [were]Snapper Rocks, being “bumped” off their boards.
He said, “There have been quite a lot around they’re on chomp a bit.”
Teece said that bull sharks are “like garbage collectors”.
“They bump all the time to see if it is a tasty morsel and you don’t want them to bump you,” he stated.
Dr McPhee explained that visibility was becoming difficult due to sharks moving out of their normal territory.
He stated that while sharks don’t have the sharpest eyesight, they do have seven senses.
“One allows them the ability to detect movement in very murky water.
“The good news though is that most sharks know that you’re there, and that you’re not food.”
Dirt and debris
Due to wild weather, poor water quality and dangerous surf, beaches on the Gold and Sunshine coasts were closed for weeks.
Teece stated that surfers have been coming back in with headaches from drinking seawater.
“Ear infections can be very dangerous.” [and throat]He spoke out against infections.
“It’s very easy for a throat or an ear infection to develop.”
Dr McPhee claimed that there were other health hazards, such as E.coli, and marine debris, which could cause more problems.
He stated that you can expect to see gastrointestinal and ear infections increase from flooding.
“There are still quite some pieces floating around so hitting one of them while surfing or swimming can cause serious damage.”
