SharkSmart

About SharkSmart

The SharkSmart app provides key information and resources to users to help further reduce the small risk of shark bite in NSW waterways. Features and resources include:

My Risk:
It provides a range of interactive features and resources including a fundamental risk assessment profile that allocates a user into a ‘risky’ or ‘safer’ behaviour rating using factors understood to affect shark bite risk. Risk rating escalates higher or lower subject to the input of the user (e.g. swimming at sunrise or dawn would increase the risk). The risk level can be reduced by adjusting risky behaviour but never eliminated (unless the user doesn’t go in the water)

Maps:
This feature shows where the user is in relation to the general location of beaches in the Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program, alternative saltwater swimming locations, alerts about shark-related incidents and news and real-time information from NSW’s VR4G shark listening stations.

Species:
This feature presents images of dangerous and non-dangerous sharks and other marine animals that sting and bite for information and education purposes.

Social Media:
The app offers integrated social media channels hosted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries including Facebook, NSW SharkSmart Twitter and YouTube. There’s also a link to the Department’s SharkSmart webpage so users can be up-to-date with the latest information provided by the department.

Information:
Details about the NSW Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program are provided.

Other Safety Programs:
The NSW Government hosts, supports and/or promotes a range of other water safety programs. Links to key programs are provided so user can get the most out of NSW beautiful waterways while staying safer.