A new online service has launched aiming to help people know in real time just when it is safe to go back in the water.
Authorities in South Australia have upgraded a website which will allow beachgoers to keep others posted when they believe they have seen a shark.
The service allows people to report when they have seen a shark – with their reports immediately published in real-time.
Reports are then reviewed by the staff at the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) to allow for duplicate or false records to be removed.
A PIRSA statement on the change reads: “The improvement makes it easier for beachgoers, fisheries and boaters to stay informed about recent shark activity in their area.
“If you see a shark, report it promptly to keep everyone informed.
Stickers containing a QR card linking to the report page have also been placed in various coastal locations, including in selected tackle shops.
Since its launch, the page has seen a handful of reports made, both by members of the public and by South Australia Police.
The most recent report was made on at 12.30pm on Friday, April 10, with a report filed by a police office of an unknown shark off the coast of Aldinga.
Other reports include a sighting of what was believed to be a thresher shark at Port Moorowie on April 7 and a suspected white shark at Robe, off the Limestone Coast on April 5.
It comes just days after a 16-year-old surfer reported being bitten by a shark at Middleton Beach over the Easter weekend.
Oliver Tokic-Bensley told ABC news he felt lucky not to have lost his foot in the incident.
He said” I felt something sharp, I sort of jumped when it got me and then I kicked my foot away and luckily it didn’t hold onto me.”