According to shark researcher Chris Pepin-Neff, the recent spate of shark encounters off Australia's east coast is unprecedented, with four incidents occurring within a 48-hour period, including three within a relatively short 15km stretch.

A series of shark attacks took place between 18 and 19 January, resulting in the death of a 12-year-old boy who was swimming in Sydney Harbour. On the following day, two separate incidents were reported: an 11-year-old's surfboard was damaged at Dee Why beach, and a man was attacked at Manly, suffering critical injuries that required hospitalization.

On 20 January, a fourth incident occurred approximately 300km further up the coast, where a surfer suffered a chest wound after a shark bit his board.

Chris Pepin-Neff, an associate professor of public policy at the University of Sydney with 20 years of research experience, describes the recent incidents as the most concentrated series of shark bites he has ever observed, both in terms of geographical proximity and time.

The consecutive shark encounters have sparked widespread concern, prompting the closure of numerous beaches and renewing debate about the need for shark culls, with many advocating for such measures to prevent further attacks.

According to experts, a more effective approach would involve gaining a deeper understanding of shark behavior and reevaluating the dynamic between humans and sharks.

Analysts point to multiple potential factors that may have led to the recent spate of incidents, suggesting that the sharks themselves are not the primary issue.

Typically, unprovoked shark attacks are triggered by a combination of environmental factors and attractants present in the water.

In Sydney, three recent incidents, believed to have involved bull sharks, occurred after a period of heavy rainfall, with the city's official weather station recording 127mm of rainfall within a 24-hour period, marking the wettest January day in 38 years.

Rebecca Olive, a senior research fellow at RMIT University, notes that the heavy rainfall would have created ideal conditions for bull sharks to be present in the area.

According to an expert, bull sharks are well-suited to warm, brackish environments that other shark species tend to avoid. The combination of river mouths, estuaries, and the influx of freshwater from recent rainfall created an ideal setting for these sharks.

Experts, including Olive, point out that the freshwater influx would have carried sewage and nutrients into the ocean, attracting bait fish, which in turn would draw in sharks.

Pepin-Neff observes that there appears to be an attractant in the water, proposing that the unique combination of low-salinity freshwater may have triggered a surge in marine life, creating a rich ecosystem.

As bait fish move towards the surface, bull sharks follow, concentrating activity in the near-shore area and increasing the likelihood of encounters between humans and sharks.

Data from official sources indicates a steady increase in shark bite incidents in Australia over the past three decades, with reported cases rising from approximately eight to 10 annually in the 1990s to an average of around 25 per year from 2010 onwards.

The rise in shark encounter numbers does not necessarily indicate an increase in aggression among sharks. Instead, it is probable that improved data collection methods and various human-related factors are contributing to the higher figures.

Factors such as the expanding coastal population, a growing participation in water sports, and the use of thicker wetsuits that enable longer stays in the ocean are likely contributing to the increase in reported encounters.

According to Pepin-Neff, the total number of encounters has increased significantly, largely due to the substantial growth in the number of people engaging in water activities.

However, researchers observe that the incidence of shark bites has not risen in proportion to the increasing number of people participating in water activities, suggesting that the risk remains relatively low.

Olive notes that, considering the large number of people using the ocean daily, shark incidents and attacks are relatively rare, and fatalities are even more uncommon, highlighting the low risk associated with shark encounters.

According to Olive, the perceived increase in shark sightings and encounters may be attributed to enhanced visibility, driven by improved reporting mechanisms, the rise of drone footage, and extensive media coverage, rather than an actual surge in shark activity.

Pepin-Neff notes that the use of vague terminology to describe shark encounters can exacerbate public concern and skew the perception of risk, contributing to a distorted understanding of the situation.

The tendency to categorize shark sightings, encounters, and bites under the broad term "attack" can create an exaggerated sense of danger, misrepresenting the actual level of risk involved.

As Pepin-Neff points out, the lack of precise language to describe shark incidents without resorting to the phrase "shark attack" can lead to a more emotional and intense community reaction, which may not accurately reflect the circumstances of the event.

Following a series of shark incidents in Sydney, fears have been rekindled, prompting renewed calls for a cull, which would typically involve the use of nets or baited drumlines to capture and kill sharks in the vicinity of popular beaches.

The proposal has been met with skepticism by experts in the field.

According to Olive, while she understands the impulse to call for culls after an incident, she firmly believes that culling sharks is not an effective way to ensure safety for surfers and swimmers, and instead serves to perpetuate a false sense of security.

Pepin-Neff emphasizes that the available scientific data does not support the use of shark culls as a means of mitigating the risk of attacks.

Pepin-Neff notes that culling sharks has no tangible impact on safety, instead providing a sense of reassurance to politicians and activists, while failing to address the underlying issues.

In the event of a shark encounter, Pepin-Neff suggests that the key factor is not the presence of sharks, but rather the presence of an attractant that draws them to a particular location.

Eliminating all sharks from Sydney Harbor would not necessarily prevent shark encounters, as a single shark from a nearby location could still be drawn to the area if attractants are present.

According to Olive and Pepin-Neff, reducing the risk of shark encounters involves being aware of the factors that increase their likelihood. Individuals can take precautions such as avoiding water activities after heavy rainfall, while local councils can consider constructing shark-free enclosures for safe swimming.

On a larger scale, Olive and Pepin-Neff stress that beachgoers must adopt a more realistic understanding of the ocean, recognizing its potential dangers and taking necessary precautions.

Pepin-Neff suggests that Australians should approach the ocean with the same caution they would exercise in the wilderness, stating that the country's residents are well-versed in navigating the bush and should apply similar principles to the ocean.

This shift in mindset, they argue, will require a dual reassessment: not only of humans' relationship with the ocean, but also of their perception and interaction with sharks.

The notion that the ocean is inherently safe while sharks are inherently dangerous is misguided, according to experts. In reality, the ocean poses numerous risks, whereas sharks are not always a threat to humans.

Humans often find themselves in sharks' territory, but that does not mean they are a desired meal, as the saying goes, emphasizing that people are more of an obstacle than a food source for sharks.