Sprigg Salon: Shark attacks - is the number of shark bites increasing and how can we reduce risk?

Are you at greater risk now of a shark bite than ever before? 

More than 85% of all Australians live within 50 kilometres of the beach, a place many of us have a deep affection for and enjoy spending time at in the warmer months. Since the 1950's, there has been an increase in reported shark bites worldwide. Does a greater human population create more bite scenarios, or are humans encroaching too far into this misunderstood predator’s territory? Why is it that sharks draw such a large amount of media attention and spark fierce public debate? 

Join Professor Charlie Huveneers, the Director of Flinders University's Marine and Coastal Research Consortium and leader of the Southern Shark Ecology Group (SSEG), as he takes you beneath the waves into the world of sharks. These ancient creatures have been around for over 400 million years, but as the human population grows and we encroach more into their habitat, their future is uncertain. Find out about shark ecology, the risk of being bitten and what we can do to help in this informative evening session. 

This event is family-friendly and suitable for all ages!  

• When: Wednesday 16 August, 2023
• Where: Pacific Cultures Gallery, Mezzanine Level, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide
  
• Ticket Price: includes a free welcome drink with a choice of beer, wine or a non-alcoholic beverage.

• 6:00- Museum opens and welcome drinks service begins.
  
• 6:25- Presentation by Professor Huveneers with Q&A to follow. 
• 7:30- Presentations and discussion concludes. 
• 8:00- Close of event.

About Professor Charlie Huveneers:

Professor Charlie Huveneers is the Director of Flinders University Marine and Coastal Research Consortium and leads the Southern Shark Ecology Group (SSEG). The SSEG research focuses on the ecology and population status of sharks and rays, as well as assessments of their vulnerability, interactions with humans, and related public perception. After Charlie obtained his PhD in 2007, he started co-running the Animal Tracking Facility (ATF) of the Integrated Marine Observing System program (IMOS), during which he created a national network of acoustic receivers. He moved to South Australia in 2009 where he acted as shark ecologist and lecturer between 2009-2014. He has been a full-time academic at Flinders University since, with his current research focusing on positive and negative shark-human interactions providing information to minimise the effects of wildlife tourism and test the efficacy of shark bite mitigation measures.

The Sprigg Salon series is proudly supported by Inspiring SA and Beach Energy 

Image: A single large shark swims through deep blue water, light streams through the water forming sunrays within the ocean.