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The Ocean Swims Shark Sentiment Survey 2026
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1.
Where do you primarily swim?
(Required.)
Sydney
NSW (outside Sydney)
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Regional Queensland
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
ACT
Northern Territory
New Zealand
Other (please specify)
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2.
How often do you swim in the ocean?
(Required.)
5+ times per week
3-4 times per week
1-2 times per week
A few times per month
Less often
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3.
Compared with before the summer of shark incidents, how often do you swim now?
(Required.)
More often
About the same
Slightly less often
Much less often
I have stopped swimming in the ocean
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4.
Overall, how do you feel about the expansion of shark surveillance drones?
(Required.)
Strongly support
Somewhat support
Neutral / unsure
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
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5.
Do shark surveillance drones make you feel…
(Required.)
Much safer
Slightly safer
No different
Slightly more anxious
Much more anxious
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6.
Since the increased use of drones, shark alerts and media coverage, how often do you think about sharks before or during a swim?
(Required.)
Much more often
Slightly more often
About the same
Less often
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7.
Which shark mitigation measures do you think should form part of a shark management program?
(Select all that apply.)
(Required.)
Shark surveillance drones
Tagged shark listening stations (VR4G, etc.)
SMART drumlines (capture, tag and release)
Shark nets
More public education about ocean risk
More research into shark behaviour
Personal shark deterrent research
Other (please specify)
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8.
Which of these influences your perception of shark risk the most?
(Choose up to 2)
(Required.)
Personal experience
Shark incidents
Social media
News media
Drone footage
Surf Life Saving/Shark App alerts
Friends/family
Scientific information
Other (please specify)
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9.
In your opinion, what should success look like for a shark management program?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Fewer shark incidents
Better public information
Fewer unnecessary beach closures
Helping people feel confident in the ocean
Earlier shark detection
Better education about risk
Protecting marine life
More research
Other (please specify)
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10.
Have you ever decided NOT to swim because of a shark sighting, drone alert or recent media coverage?
(Required.)
Yes, many times
Yes, once or twice
No