Is the number of sharks increasing?

Increased media attention, surveillance and more people using the water have contributed to the impression that shark numbers have risen. Researchers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development try to estimate shark numbers based on fishing data. In addition to this, researchers have completed a review of white shark population numbers in Western Australia. The study attempted to reconstruct the levels of annual catch of white sharks since 1938, and to combine this data with life-history information to develop a series of population trajectories. These scenarios varied markedly and the <a href="https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1076&context=fr_rr" target="_blank">report</a> has identified the need for further investigation to reduce the level of uncertainty and narrowing the range of possible scenarios. CSIRO released a research <a href="https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/system/files/NESP-A3-A%20national%20assessment%20of%20the%20status%20of%20white%20sharks%20Feb%202018.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> in February 2018 which found that there was no evidence of an increase in the southern-western white shark population. Read more about <a href="https://www.sharksmart.com.au/research/white-shark-distribution-population/">white shark movement</a>.