A SMALL coastal community is in shock after one of its own was taken by a shark during her morning swim, something she had done regularly for the past 14 years.
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It was a cruel reminder that all of us who venture into the ocean enter a domain that is not our own and which holds a fair amount of risk.
Although the death of Christine Armstrong happened on the Far South Coast, it affected all of us who live by or near the sea. Many minds turned yesterday to the abrupt and horrifying circumstances of her death, reminding us of our frailty in an environment inhabited by predators stronger, faster and more efficient than ourselves.
In coming days questions will be asked. Chief among them will be the issue of illegal shark luring, which was raised two years ago by the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club. It is reasonable to expect many people to ask whether this dangerous practice had played a role in Mrs Armstrong’s death.
Risks will also be weighed up. The warning from the Bendigo Bank Aerial Patrol suggests large sharks are being seen close to shore where waters are warmer, specifically in Jervis Bay and near Mollymook, both popular swimming locations. The patrol’s advice to avoid swimming at dusk and dawn when sharks are more likely to be feeding is sensible but would have had no bearing on Mrs Armstrong’s fate, as she was swimming at 8.30am when she was taken.
While we should not fear the ocean we should respect it and its inhabitants and do our best to minimise the risks. Putting an end to luring sharks into areas popular with swimmers would be a good place to start.
