I occasionally get asked if I see or get worried about sharks while snorkelling and diving. I do worry but not to the extent that it stops me from getting in the water. The chance of getting bitten by a shark is vanishingly small.
There are upwards of 50 species of sharks to be found along the NSW coast, most of which are not a hazard to humans at all. My video provides some footage of species that I have seen.
If any shark can be thought of as cute the blind shark would, in my view, fit the bill. They can be found in shallow (<5m depth) water around rocky headlands. They grow to a bit over a metre in length and can be found in groups of four or so, although they are mostly seen by themselves. They feed on crustaceans, fish and squid and give birth to live young.
Wobbegong sharks are also seabed-dwelling fish that live on rocky reefs. Some species can grow to over 2.5m long and they feed on crustaceans and fish. They can be very difficult to see due to their camouflage and while they won’t actively attack they have a nasty set of teeth and can inflict some damage if you land on top of one while diving.
Port Jackson sharks are also in the cute category. Totally harmless, these sharks also live on the seabed and are commonly seen in winter in groups of up to 30. Their teeth are designed for crushing animals like sea urchins and crustaceans. They lay eggs that look like a purse with a screw end that is used to anchor the egg in among the rocks.
The grey nurse shark can be seen in various spots around Bass Point. It is a critically endangered species that can grow to about 3.5m in length. It has an impressive array of sharp teeth that are used for holding their fish prey. They will bite only if provoked and generally swim away if approached.
Whaler sharks are potentially dangerous especially if a decent size. The one in the video is only about 1.5m and it swam out from under a bunch of surfers at Bellambi. As soon as I dived down to get a closer shot it swam away.
Most sharks are not a hazard. If you see one that takes an interest in you, keep your eyes on it and don’t panic and splash around. More than likely it will simply come in, have a look and go away.
Watch more of Duncan’s dive videos – follow ‘Illawarra Underwater’ on YouTube
