Follow these tips to stay safe.
- Do not have fish near your body. Tow your catch in a float well behind you.
- Aim to kill your fish quickly. Bring your catch to the surface and quickly remove it from the water.
- Always spearfish with a buddy or group.
- Have a plan with your buddy. Agree on hand signals and how to enter and leave the water.
- Avoid spearfishing from dusk to dawn.
- Spearfish in clear water where you have good visibility.
- If it looks fishy, it could be sharky.
- Stay extra vigilant in the water if you notice large schools of baitfish or diving birds, as these can signal the presence of sharks.
- Be careful of steep drop-offs where sharks may feed.
- If you see a shark, stay calm, release your catch and leave the water. Move to a new site if continuing spearfishing.
- Do not feed, touch or provoke sharks.
- Consider first aid training and have a first aid kit.
Last updated: 28 May 2026