EXCLUSIVE

Keeping an eye out: Isla, 5, and Alicia, 6, at Maroubra Beach, where a shark was caught earlier this year. Photo: Fiona Morris

Three times more sharks were caught in beaches to the south of Sydney compared with the north, according to new figures revealing the number and location of sharks caught in NSW.

There were six great white sharks entangled in beach nets compared with three the previous year.

The total number of targeted sharks caught, which included eight different species, was 46. In the previous year, 32 targeted sharks, which included 11 different species, were caught in the 51 nets at beaches from Stockton in the Hunter down to South Wollongong in the Illawarra.

The number, however, remains extremely low, experts at the NSW Department of Primary Industries say, adding that the data shows no significant trends or shark hot spots.

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Eighteen targeted sharks, which included one great white, two tiger sharks, seven dusky whalers and four common blacktip sharks, were found in the south during the meshing season between September 1 last year and April 30 this year. The area includes beaches from Bondi to south of Cronulla.

In comparison, only five sharks were caught in the north zone, from Palm Beach to Warriewood,which included two shortfin makos, one bull shark and one each of three other target species.

Only three sharks were netted in Sydney's central region, from North Narabeen to Manly.

Excerpt from:

Where sharks are being caught