Surfing is the ultimate way to immerse yourself physically and mentally in nature. The rewards for doing so are not only evident while you’re in the water or under the fresh beach shower, but your physical and mental state are improved for the better to handle the challenges of life today.
As shark-human interactions are on the rise in Australia, there are a few small steps you can take as a minimum to reduce your chances of adding to those statistics and take a level of power back through becoming more knowledgeable about what is going on under the surface before you paddle out.
Below is a list of factors you can take a few short minutes to assess before you paddle out.
1. Are there any visual signs of increased marine life?
AVOID AREAS OF DIVING BIRDS AND SCATTERING BAITFISH.
The ocean hides a lot of secrets below the surface however, you can make a start by looking for the most obvious, which are visual cues you can see from the beach or headland.
The most common visual signs will be birds diving into the ocean and/or baitfish showering across the surface.
The birds will be diving into the ocean to feed on schools of baitfish that have been most likely pushed to the surface by predatory marine species ranging from small to large. Typically, there will be an increase or decrease in different species at different times across the year, correlating seasonally with the migration patterns of marine life and the seasonal change in ocean current direction, strength and fluctuating water temperatures and nutrient levels.
2. Water Colour and Clarity.
AVOID POOR WATER CLARITY AND WATER COLOUR EDGES
The colour of the ocean can vary greatly depending on a variety of influences. From a variety of shades of blue to different shades of green and even dark brown.
With the understanding most sharks are ambush predators with an outstanding biological ability to receive signals of distress through electroreceptors in their skin, we can easily see why poor water clarity contributes to humans being mistaken for prey and increases the risk of shark-human interaction.
Different shades of blue or green are commonplace and will often signify different water temperatures and nutrient levels. While species may vary with water temperature, it is the meeting point of different water colours that will often see an increase in marine life no matter the season or species present on the Australian coast. Throw in a few diving birds and scattering baitfish and the area will pose a greater risk of the presence of active marine predators in the area.
3. Location.
ADDITIONAL NUTRIENTS, VULNERABLE POSITION
Additional nutrients can come from many sources however, they can be more concentrated after weather events around river and creek mouths flowing discoloured and nutrient dense water from farther upstream into the ocean and attracting marine predators to be actively feeding in the area. Without avoiding river mouths altogether, as they often provide shelter from the wind and a decent sandbank, it is worth your while to not combine additional nutrients with another risk factor such as fading afternoon light or poor water clarity.
Vulnerable position can be so easily recognised and from my past experiences in the water it is one that gives you a very uneasy feeling when you paddle out. A prime example would be to surf an outer bank solo, on a long beach and you need to position yourself in deep water. With no help in the immediate area in the unfortunate chance you have a negative encounter with a marine predator you are extremely vulnerable.
The deep water provides cover for marine predators to approach and plenty of depth for larger marine predators to ambush from below.
Anytime we enter the water we are vulnerable to ocean predators, but to what level is one thing that is in our control. If you choose to stick your head in the sand and throw caution to the wind it is a decision that cannot be taken back if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
By adding the above steps to your routine before you paddle out and keeping up to date with BiteMetrix reports you are reducing your chances of shark-human interaction and increasing your knowledge of the conditions to keep you safer in the ocean.
BiteMetrix Team
