Sharks in abundance in Australia: 29-04-2008
A new study suggests that shark numbers in Australia may not be in as perilous a position as previously thought.
The Great Australia Shark Count has so far counted 4,022 sharks in the water surrounding Australia, and with that number expected to rise as the count continues there is plenty of chance to spot one of the seemingly not-so-elusive creatures.
Adam Smith, national chairman of the Australian Underwater Federation (which is overseeing the count) told Discovery News that the survey had been a success because people loved getting in the water.
"Firstly, we have lots of sharks in Australia and people love getting in the water and diving and fishing," he said.
Scuba divers, fishermen and many other people who spend time in the water around Australia have got involved in the count which will continue throughout 2008.
Leading the list of sharks spotted so far is the wobbegong shark, followed by the grey nurse shark and the Port Jackson shark.
While the wobbegong has been seen 903 times so far, great whites have only been spotted 13 times so there is little reason to fear taking a dip while Down Under.