Lake Macquarie Sharks (?)

[Owen Walton]

The other day whilst chatting with John, (see my recent Blog Post "Different Type Of Lake Paddler") reminiscing on "the good old days", boating in general and lots of other important things, the subject drifted on to sharks in the Lake.

Now John has been rowing his boat on the Lake for over 60 years and continues to do so about 4 days a week. I have mucked about in boats here for over 50 years (mainly sailing & fishing) and since retirement when I took up kayaking, also venture out paddling on an average of 4 days per week. We have both seen dolphin, turtles, fish of all types and sizes, even a seal in the last couple of weeks; but never a shark!

Yet, I have heard reports of all sorts of shark sitings over the last year or so. I have spoken to a couple of people who assure me they saw one, plus I have met a few more who have a fishing mate/neighbour/ bloke at the pub etc who saw one "right beside/behind his boat". There have been reports on TV and radio; even photographs of these piscatorial predators, supposedly taken on the Lake. There was even a GPS download of a track made when a fishing boat followed one between Pulbah and Murrays. These "sitings" range from Bull Sharks to a large White Pointer, there is even a legendary Hammerhead that has been often sighted around Pulbah, (and seems to grow about half a metre longer with each siting).

Now I admit that there is every possibility that every now and again a shark will come into the Lake; but why is it that 2 blokes, who are out on the water constantly, and have been collectively doing so for well over 100 years, are yet to see one?

[Phil Thompson]

Obviously the sharks are shy. Alternatively they could be like those miscreants in The Hitchikers guider to the galaxy - beings from another world that wait until someone fearful and very unreliable is alone and without a camera and then shock them in alien fashion. The sharks obviously find two upstanding, dependable and eminently sensible fellows as yourselves as not part of the game. If you saw them the secret would be out.
I lived on the water at the Spit in Middle Harbour and was on the water at least once a day on average. I saw 2 sharks in 8 years in a well known shark black spot.
You would expect someone to get nibbled during the across the lake swim or similar.

[John Anderson]

There are resident dolphins living in the lake. Their food requirements are very similar so it's a reasonable assumption that there's enough food for resident sharks too. Contrary to popular belief, dolphins don't chase away sharks unless they have young present. They often hunt the same prey in the same area co-existing quite happily.

I know people who've been out on "Shark Tours" and they've said that some people seem to have a knack for spotting sharks below the water and pick them out well before others. Phil spotted a fin in Swansea channel last time we were out, I think I got a glimpse but I couldn't swear to it. There's nothing wrong with my eyesite, but I too have yet to spot a shark in the lake.

Like you guys I know regular sailors who say they see a variety of shark species on a fairly regular basis. They have no reason to lie about it, and I would expect the lake to be perfectly acceptable shark habitat, so I believe them. Sooner or later someone will get chomped and there will be much media wailling and beating of chests, but they've always been there and they don't seem to be that interested in people most of the time. When you do hear of them showing an interest, it usually seems to involve fishing or skiing both of which would generate the sort of splashing and vibrations that I would think would tickle a sharks curiosity.

[Phil Thompson]

Ah John - now you have spoiled things. Maybe what is required is a healthy dose of amnesia. I do now recall spotting what looked like a small triangular fin when we were practising rolling so my score of sharks is up by one.

In the Whistundays they have renamed many of the bays so as not to scare away the tourists. Hammerhead bay has had a name change for some reason. Interestingly talking to proper divers (not just snorkellers) they will talk about scores of sharks sitting in reef passes with their mouths open and sitting on the bottom just resting whilst 400m away a multitude of tasty backpacker and tourist flesh is available.

Thinking about sharks is sure to mess up your day. After many years snorkelling on the reef I got used to not thinking about them. If I started to think about them in a lonely section of reef I would berate myself "Stop thinking that! - What - About getting eaten - What could I get eaten? - Oh bugger - Mmmm maybe it is time to get out." So it is better to pretend they aren't there as the chances are low and the scare factor can ruin a good snorkel or swim. Still I don's swim or snorkel in dusk or dawn - I leave that the to surfers.

[John Anderson]

Sorry Phil.

Interesting what you mentioned though about snorkelling and diving. I don't obsess about sharks, not phobic about them. I'm with you on that one though. There are a group of risk factors that increase your risk of getting chomped so why not minimise the risk. The snorkelling's usually not brilliant at dusk and dawn or in murky conditions anyway so it's no great loss to stay out of the wate then is it.

This is going to sound odd coming from a "man of science" too but I'm also a big believer in trusting your instincts. Not just about sharks either. If something feels wrong, (seriously wrong not just nerves at an unfamiliar situation), GET OUT ! I don't know what we're picking up on but you ignore it at your peril.

[brad mcpherson]

Apparently there's a seal at Wangi now.

[Phil Thompson]

He went right under my boat on its morning about 10 days ago. I have a very bad video of him on my phone. A friend said the seal tried very hard to get a snapper off his line. Good to see.

[John Anderson]

That's fabulous to hear. He isn't worried about the sharks in the lake and he probably features more prominently on the menu that we do :)

I was just thinking about the preference of white pointers for larger fattier prey and how lately I seem to be getting closer and closer to fulfilling the ideal meal criteria.......