Fear and Sharks: Local Researcher Explores Conservation Connection

A researcher at a local university is exploring the connection between fear of sharks and conservation efforts. Juliana Gleaves' PhD study focuses on conservation psychology, with initial findings suggesting that those with better knowledge of sharks have less fear and are more likely to support conservation efforts.

Ms Gleaves' fascination with sharks was sparked by the 1975 classic movie Jaws, although she concedes it wasn't great for their public relations. This comes as shark numbers have plummeted globally by more than 70 per cent since the movie's release.

Her research includes examining how movies and media reporting shape people's views of sharks. Future studies will use virtual reality to immerse people in a neutral shark experience, aiming to encourage more positive views and concern for conservation.

Following a recent fatal shark attack in Perth, the Western Australian fisheries minister ruled out a widespread cull but issued a 'catch and kill' order for the responsible shark. In 2025, there were five fatal attacks and 23 shark bite incidents in total.

Local surfers Duncan Chamberlain and Mal Biscoe are not surprised that people who regularly use the ocean tend to be more realistic about the risk of shark attacks. Mr Chamberlain, a 74-year-old surfer with 54 years of experience, has a 20-minute rule when encountering sharks: 'You go in [to shore] for 20 minutes and you presume they're cruising along the coast, so they've moved on by then, so you go back out.'

'If you look at the statistics, you're in far more danger driving to the beach on the roads,' Mr Chamberlain said.

Ms Gleaves' initial study found that surfers were more likely to be concerned about sunburn than sharks. Mal Biscoe, a surf school owner with over 30 years of surfing experience, agreed with this finding. As a firefighter, assessing risk comes naturally to him.

'For me, there was no comparison between the risk of a shark encounter and the reward of surfing, and the physical and mental health benefits,' Mr Biscoe said.

He estimated having about eight encounters with sharks over the years, either swimming under or around him or appearing off in the distance. In the closest encounter, a harmless wobbegong shark had climbed onto the back of his mate while they were surfing.

'We had a laugh about it and then we're like, 'I wonder what scared it out of the water?' But I've never had an incident where I feel threatened,' Mr Biscoe said.

Mr Biscoe told students that they are much more likely to step on a ray or be injured by their own board than a shark. While unsure if surfers are more concerned with shark conservation, he believes they are generally environmentally aware.

'I think surfers and people that live along the ocean are more concerned just about the natural environment itself, whether it be sharks or dolphins, whales or rays or just fish life,' he said.