Australia is home to heaps of sharks. All different kinds, too. And while there are attacks – like the ongoing spate in South Australia – it still is clocks in at number two on the International Shark Attack File’s list for unprovoked shark bites in 2024.
Number one? The United States. Primarily Florida.
So, while most of the news we hear about these creatures involves attacks (yes, here on this publication, too), it’s nice to see something different – a friendly shark, mingling amongst surfers, without incident. Like this one below at Bondi Beach.
The shark has been affectionately dubbed, “Norman” or “Norms” for short. It’s a grey nurse shark. And in the video, it can be seen cruising the crowded Bondi lineup, sniffing surfers’ toes, following them playfully, and pretty much just hanging out.
Posted by DroneSharkApp – an account that shows, well, sharks via drone – they captioned:
“Norms was out saying g’day to the huge crowd at Bondi this morning.”
In fact, Norman isn’t just one shark in particular it turns out. It’s the name been given to all grey nurse sharks that hang out in the area. And some folks are determined to help the species, particularly when it comes to the controversial shark nets.
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Grey nurse sharks are critically endangered in Australia, thanks to a number of factors, but including overfishing. This had led to a decline in numbers.
And a group has set out to help the species, specifically when it comes to the shark nets. They’ve set up a petition to replace the shark nets at Bondi, which reads:
“Most of the sharks caught are not species that are considered dangerous to humans. Grey nurse sharks are critically endangered and we have collected substantial evidence of over 40 individuals aggregating in Bondi. These nets pose significant risk to a population of shark that is on the verge of collapse.”
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