Longest shark patrol season on record
Unseasonably warm weather and increased shark sightings have prompted the state government to extend aerial patrols for the second time this season.
The shark patrol season commenced in early November and will now conclude on June 9th, following risk assessments conducted by South Australian Police (SAPOL), Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and the State Emergency Service (SES).
The fixed-wing aircraft will continue to monitor beaches on weekends from North Haven to Rapid Bay, and on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula between Waitpinga Beach, east of Victor Harbor and the Murray Mouth.
Managing Director of civilian-run Shark Watch South Australia Anton Covino welcomed the announcement, but said there is more to be done to further shark mitigation efforts.
“There are still missing links of communication this service renders, which could otherwise provide immediate correspondents to a greater number of the overall population facilitating a more timely and efficient public response to avoid the active threat of a sharks presence as observed from the patrolling aircraft,” he said in a statement published to Facebook.
“This is subject to current protocols that need to be rectified in order to cultivate a better working relationship between our respective organisations and the Shark Watch South Australia community.”
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PIRSA shark reporting logs show there has been 199 sightings in 2025 to date.
The logs recorded 313 in 2024 and 148 in 2023.
This data includes reports made by SAPOL, Surf Life Saving South Australia, Abalone Divers Association, White Sharks Count program and the public.
SES Chief of Staff Robert Charlton said in recent years more hours have been spent in the air and therefore, more sightings were likely.
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“On occasions, this can include multiple sightings involving the same shark, which may be spotted at different times by the aircraft as it undertakes its patrols,” he said.
In November, the state government allocated a $500,000 package to support shark mitigation in regional communities.
Surf Life Saving SA CEO Damien Marangon said new signage and the first delivery of trauma kits are expected in the coming days.
(These are) “all important lifesaving resources and tailored solutions we believe will make a real difference, both for locals and visitors, in these remote coastal communities,” he said.
An expansion of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service to regional aquatic events also forms part of the investment.
It comes days after a man was bitten by a shark while swimming at Port Noarlunga and an algal bloom was said to be linked to the increased sightings.
Earlier in this month, authorities removed a dead white shark washed up on Henley Beach in Adelaide and two other sharks were reported dead at Port Willunga in Adelaide’s south and at Port Moorowie, on the south coast of Yorke Peninsula.
