No sign of increase in shark activity

Wildlife experts have played down the chances that yesterday's attack was because of an increase in great white shark activity on the south coast, saying it appeared to be random.

Though waters around Esperance are known for sharks, given the prevalence of seals and sea lions, a South Australian Museum expert said neither would have attracted heightened shark activity.

Peter Shaughnessy, an honorary research associate with the museum, said great whites would only be abnormally active during a seal breeding season, which for the two seal species around Esperance was spasmodic.

Fisheries Department shark researcher Rory McAuley said white sharks were more prevalent off the south coast but there was no evidence they were more active at this time of year.

Department of Parks and Wildlife officer Doug Coughran said breeding southern right whales attracted sharks but they were now heading south.