{"id":682506,"date":"2026-05-20T07:29:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T07:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/682506\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T07:29:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T07:29:10","slug":"urgent-shark-warning-for-nsw-as-perfect-storm-conditions-hit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/682506\/","title":{"rendered":"Urgent shark warning for NSW as \u2018perfect storm\u2019 conditions hit"},"content":{"rendered":"

A shark expert has issued an urgent warning as heavy rains create \u201cperfect\u201d conditions for the apex predator to lurk along our shorelines.<\/p>\n

Joel Nancarrow, owner of shark taxidermy business Hunter Shark Jaw Restoration, said recent downpours in New South Wales, an incoming strong westerly wind and the migration of mullet north from estuary systems in Sydney \u201cunfortunately lined up with the time the bull sharks will also be looking to head north\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Shock<\/p>\n

In a recent Facebook post, the shark enthusiast said the current conditions were similar to those seen in January.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like we had in January, the conditions are perfect for the sharks to be along the beaches,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will likely stop once they reach the good water around [Port Macquarie]\/South West Rocks. This will mean large quantities of bull sharks in these areas for at least three weeks yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next week is a real danger period along the beaches. Take care and just keep an eye out.\u201d <\/p>\n

NSW authorities also issued a warning <\/a>via the SharkSmart app yesterday. It urged eager beachgoers to be wary of waterways following the recent heavy rain.<\/p>\n

\u201cRain along the NSW coast over the past 24\u201348 hours has changed beach and estuary conditions,\u201d the post warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe widespread inland rain and lighter to heavy rainfalls along much of the NSW coast \u2013 particularly northern NSW. Freshwater and nutrient\u2011rich run\u2011off can reduce visibility, affect water quality and attract baitfish \u2014 sometimes increasing shark activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

It urged people to avoid swimming in murky or dirty waters and to take extra care within 1km of a river, river mouth or harbour, especially after rain or flooding. It also warned to be cautious if watergoers spot baitfish, diving birds or dolphins and to avoid areas where there is recreational or commercial fishing taking place.<\/p>\n

They urged anyone hitting the water to \u201cbuddy up\u201d with someone.<\/p>\n

It comes after a spearfisherman was fatally attacked by a white shark off Rottnest Island.<\/p>\n

Steven Mattaboni, 38, was swimming back to his boat at Horseshoe Reef, about one kilometre offshore from the island, when a four-metre shark attacked.<\/p>\n

His friends rushed over to help Mr Mattaboni <\/a>and rushed him to nearby Geordie Bay for medical attention, but he could not be saved.<\/p>\n

The 38-year-old victim was a father of two and lived in Perth\u2019s northern suburbs.<\/p>\n

In a heartbreaking statement, his wife Shirene said her husband was a generous and loving father to their two daughters, aged two and four months.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hearts are irrevocably broken by the loss of Steven, known affectionately to his mates as \u2018Mattas\u2019,\u201d she said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn avid fisherman and spearfisherman, who lived and breathed the ocean, he was always in tune with the sea.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world has lost a truly one-of-a-kind gentleman, and our daughters have lost an incredible father far too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A shark expert has issued an urgent warning as heavy rains create \u201cperfect\u201d conditions for the apex predator…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":682507,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[64,63,128,338],"class_list":["post-682506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wildlife","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-science","tag-wildlife"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=682506"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682506\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/682507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=682506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=682506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=682506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}