The shark to end all sharks: Jaws threw the concept of shark attacks into the public consciousness

We round up a few expert tips:

Avoid going into the water alone: Sharks may be deterred by larger groups and one of the biggest reasons behind fatalities in shark attacks is the delay in getting someone medical help. Having people around you will help speed up the process.
Stay clear of fishing boats: They may trail fish remains in blood, which will attract predators.
If you're bleeding, stay out of the water: The same goes if you cut yourself when you're in the water - head back to shore. Sharks can smell and even taste a tiny amount of blood from 1.6 kilometres away.
Avoid large groups of seals or fish: They are prey for sharks and any frenetic activity may indicate the presence of a shark nearby.
Avoid entering the water at dawn, dusk or night: This is typically feeding time for sharks.
Try to wear bland, darker clothing: "It does matter what you're wearing," says Sydney-based sharks expert Chris Neff. "Jewellery is a big no-no... you certainly wouldn't wear something that was flashy." A shark's eyesight is poor but it distinguishes between shapes in shades of black and white - so white, yellow and flesh-tone colours especially stands out.
If a shark approaches you, prepare to defend yourself: Anything you do at this stage may work to distract the shark from attack, from body movement to lashing out at it or gouging at its eyes. "The one thing that I've consistently heard is most effective is gouging the shark in the eye," says John West of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
And remember: shark attacks are rare. Only about a dozen of the approximately 500 shark species should be considered potentially dangerous to humans. White, tiger and bull sharks are responsible for more than half of all shark attacks.

Photos: Rex Features

Seven ways to survive a shark attack