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After a string of 'unprecedented' attacks, Australia is getting tough with sharks

There have been 13 attacks in New South Wales so far this year, compared to three in 2014.

AUSTRALIAN SHARK EXPERTS will test cutting-edge technology – including electrical barriers powered by wave energy – following an “unprecedented” series of attacks on swimmers.

The country has one of the world’s highest incidences of shark attacks and researchers from around the world met in Sydney on Tuesday at a meeting organised in part to address community fears.

“What we’ve seen is pretty unprecedented,” New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird told the conference of a string of attacks in eastern Australia which left one dead and seven injured.

A Japanese surfer died in February after his legs were torn off by a shark but there have been other serious attacks up and down the more than 2,000-kilometre-long (1,243-mile) NSW coast.

There have been 13 attacks in the state so far this year, compared to three in 2014.

“Ultimately, we’ve moved from a position in some parts of the coast where the coastline was joy… (to) fear, and we need to take that away,” Baird said, adding that his government hoped to test some of the recommended technologies during the upcoming summer.

The decision-making process (to roll out the technologies) will be on the basis of the science… it will not be knee-jerk, it will not be in relation to any form of populist outcry.

Baird – an avid surfer who has ruled out culling sharks as an option – said he hoped experts would find ways to balance the need to protect humans against reducing the harm to marine life caught in barriers such as nets.

Deterrent technologies set to be reviewed include electrical barriers that can be powered by wave energy, as well as personal devices that surfers and swimmers can wear.

Detection methods include a smart drumline where sharks are removed from hooks before they die, and the “Clever Buoy”, which uses sonar technology to search for shark-sized objects.

Marine biologist Daryl McPhee of Bond University, who helped the state government compile a preliminary list of options, said the recent innovations had increased researchers’ understanding of shark behaviour.

Sharks have seven senses. We don’t clearly know how sharks completely sense their environment but we know much more than we did 10 years ago.

“We’re able to use the information to potentially design better deterrence (technologies).”

Read: Man in his 60s “bitten to the bone” in Australia shark attack>

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    Mute Jack Murphy
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:33 AM

    How many times has this happened now? stupid bloody drivers

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    Mute Malachy Mc Carron
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:40 AM

    Should b made refund everyone’s ticket, if driver was negligible in any way. Understandable if driver had heart attack R something . People going to and from work delayed due to 1 person

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    Mute The Todd
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:59 AM

    Accidents happen all the time, but here have your €2.20. Hope the driver is ok

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    Mute Lloyd Hetherington
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:09 AM

    Agree. How does one end up doing something like this unless it is a heart attack or seizure or similar? Why can’t I help thinking the driver was on his/her phone?

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    Mute KATHLEEN KAVANAGH
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:11 AM

    Exactly!

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:17 AM

    “Stupid bloody drivers” so you know the cause of this incident?

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    Mute Charles Mcdonald
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:51 AM

    Might have been stolen and a joyrider

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Jan 7th 2015, 7:31 PM

    Didn’t a Chinese company offer to put in an underground system in Dublin for the ticket take for 25 years and they were turned down – Something like that any way …
    Can’t crash a car into an underground !

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    Mute Joe Travers
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:38 AM

    Is optimus ok.?

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    Mute Scrap Croke Park1
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:19 AM

    I feel sorry for the driver. She must be mortified

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    Mute Scrap Croke Park1
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:20 AM

    Ok sisters. I’m ready

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    Mute Kane O Hara
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:33 AM

    Let’s hope the driver and passengers are not hurt.

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    Mute Kathleen Kavanagh
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:40 AM

    Driving Suspension 3-6 months – give themselves time to think if they should continue driving !

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    Mute Phillip Brady Brady
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:03 AM

    Do u know something we don’t?

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    Mute Marty Flood
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:39 AM

    Luas tickets valid on buses. Aaaaahhhh… memories of Munich 1992.

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    Mute Shane Walsh Photos
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    Jan 7th 2015, 7:18 AM

    Wouldn’t happen on the red line :)

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    Mute paul compton
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    Jan 7th 2015, 7:39 AM

    Any money says drink driver.

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    Mute Cormac Mc Greal
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:33 AM

    Bang bang Rosie/roger.

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    Mute Paul O'Grady
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:47 PM

    Extra penalty points should be awarded for blatant stupidity – such as hitting an inanimate object.

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