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Show probes mystery of NSW shark attacks

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Associate Professor Daryl McPhee appears in the Disney+ series When Sharks Attack 360.

Bond University shark expert Dr Daryl McPhee has tackled the reasons behind a series of shark bites in northern NSW on the latest episode of the Disney+ series When Sharks Attack 360.

Dr McPhee has risen from a difficult childhood involving tragedy and homelessness to become an internationally renowned expert on the phenomenon of unprovoked shark bites.

โ€œWe are in the age of sharks where there is a clear public thirst for information on these creatures and a deep desire to unpack the details of bites on people and their trends," Dr McPhee said.

"While unprovoked shark bites remain rare, there has been a clear trend of increased bites on surfers in northern NSW.

โ€œIn the When Shark Attack 360 episode I flag that there is no single explanatory factor for patterns of unprovoked shark bites.

"However, the distribution of food including baitfish and whales and whale carcases can be significant. 

โ€œLarge shark species such as white sharks are highly mobile and can range over large and diverse marine habitats looking for food.

"When they find a good source of food, they can stay their for a considerable period of time. If such a location is a popular beach, then the risk of a bite, while still very low, can be elevated."

The message Dr McPhee has for beach users is that the risk of a bite remains low, but be aware of your surroundings for the presence of prey that large sharks may eat, and avoid murky water.

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