Evaluating the Effectiveness of Shark Culls for Ocean Safety

WHO:

Phys.org - Leah Stewart, 35, a young mother who was bitten by a shark.

The Conversation - Tony Abbott, Federal Liberal Party president, advocating for a shark cull.

The Conversation - Chris Minns, New South Wales Premier, considering a cull of bull sharks.

WHAT:

Phys.org - Leah Stewart was swimming about 30 meters (33 yards) offshore when the shark attacked.

The Conversation - The shark involved is believed to be a 3- to 4-meter (10- to 13-foot) great white shark.

The Conversation - There have been renewed calls for a shark cull following the incident.

The Conversation - Shark bites have increased in Australia and globally over the past four decades, although they remain rare.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The incident occurred at Coogee Beach in Sydney.

The Conversation - The discussion involves shark populations in Australia.

WHY:

The Conversation - Tony Abbott stated, "It’s so wrong that we don’t cull sharks after attacks" and emphasized the need to prioritize human safety over sharks.

The Conversation - The increase in shark bites is often attributed to a surge in shark populations, although many species are threatened globally.

HOW:

The Conversation - Various methods to reduce shark-bite risk include shark culls, shark nets, drone surveillance, SMART drumlines, and early-warning systems.

The Conversation - Shark nets aim to catch potentially dangerous sharks but can also harm non-dangerous marine animals.

The Conversation - Studies indicate that early-warning systems using drones can detect sharks and facilitate beach evacuations.

(UPDATED June 15, 2026 20:15 UTC)

A young mother named Leah Stewart was bitten by a shark while swimming about 30 meters offshore at Coogee Beach in Sydney, with the shark believed to be a 3- to 4-meter great white. In the wake of this incident, there are renewed calls for a shark cull, with Tony Abbott advocating for it by stating that human safety should take priority over sharks, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns is also considering the cull of bull sharks. Various methods are being discussed to reduce the risk of shark bites, including shark nets and early-warning systems that utilize drones to detect sharks and help with beach evacuations.