Why Great White Sharks Are Suddenly Showing Up in More Places This Summer

According to The Guardian, the government of New South Wales, Australia, announced this weekend that it will dramatically expand shark-spotting drone patrols to 70 beaches, with surveillance operating from dawn to dusk throughout the year. The move follows several recent great white shark encounters, including a devastating attack at Sydney's Coogee Beach that left a swimmer with life-threatening injuries.

The Guardian reported that Surf Life Saving NSW has already conducted more than 100,000 drone flights in 2026, helping prevent roughly 2,000 potential shark encounters. The expanded program will also test artificial intelligence capable of identifying sharks automatically, allowing lifeguards to respond more quickly.

Why Great White Sharks Are Showing Up Near Shore

Marine experts say the recent increase in sightings doesn't necessarily mean great white shark populations are exploding.

Instead, The Guardian reported that sharks are following seasonal food sources. Large schools of migrating salmon have drawn juvenile great white sharks closer to Sydney's coastline, leading to more sightings-and more temporary beach closures-at popular destinations like Bondi, Coogee, and Maroubra.

The trend isn't limited to Australia. According to ABC News, marine experts also expect shark activity to increase along portions of the California and Northeast coasts during the summer as warming waters and migrating prey bring sharks closer to shore.

Your Risk of Shark Attack Is Still Extremely Low

Despite the headlines, experts continue to emphasize that shark bites remain extraordinarily rare.

According to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History, researchers investigated 105 shark-human interactions worldwide in 2025, confirming just 65 unprovoked bites globally. Considering the millions of people who enter the ocean every year, the odds of being bitten remain exceptionally small.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife also notes that most interactions involving great white sharks are not believed to be predatory. Instead, researchers say many bites are exploratory or cases of mistaken identity, with surfers and swimmers sometimes resembling seals from below.

What Beachgoers Can Do to Reduce the Chance of Shark Attack

If you're heading to the beach this summer, experts recommend these common-sense habits to help reduce the already low risk of a shark encounter:

• Swim near lifeguards whenever possible.
• Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or in murky water.
• Stay away from large schools of baitfish or diving seabirds.
• Leave the water immediately if officials report a shark sighting.

As The Guardian noted, beach officials hope expanded drone surveillance and emerging AI technology will help detect sharks earlier, giving swimmers more time to exit the water safely while reducing unnecessary beach closures.

Related: Caught in a Rip Current? Lifeguards Say This Simple Move Could Save Your Life

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 6:10 PM.