Grey Nurse Sharks: The Gentle Giants of Our Seas
- Gregory Andrews
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
🦈🌊 #FloraAndFaunaFriday, underwater edition!
Today I’m in Cronulla, facilitating the Sutherland Shire Youth Week Climate and Biodiversity Forum - a powerful space where young people are standing up for our planet. Since we’re here by the sea, I thought it was the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on one of our ocean’s most misunderstood and endangered creatures: the Grey Nurse Shark.
Yes, they look terrifying. Rows of jagged teeth, silent movements, piercing eyes… I get it. When I swam with one back in 2016 as Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner, I felt scared out of my wits. But I’m glad I trusted the scientists and did it. Because what I learned is that Grey Nurse Sharks are the Labrador dogs of the shark world.
Despite their badass teeth, they’ve never attacked, killed or eaten a human. They’re slow, curious, and gentle. And dine only on fish. But sadly, they’re critically endangered on Australia’s east coast.
What’s threatening them?
🔹 Fishing gear – Especially from recreational fishers. Grey Nurse Sharks often become entangled in fishing lines or are accidentally hooked. Then they get sepsis from infections from the hooks.
🔹 Habitat loss – Coastal development, pollution, and climate change are degrading the reefs and caves where they breed and rest.
🔹 Misinformation – Many people still fear them, and that stigma reduces public support for their protection.
How you can help
✅ Learn and share the truth – Grey Nurse Sharks are not dangerous to humans. Changing perceptions is powerful. Read more about them and other sharks from the Marine Conservation Society.
✅ Support sanctuary zones – Marine parks and no-fishing zones give sharks safe places to live and breed.
✅ Donate to Humane World for Animals which stands up for sharks and strong ocean species protections.
Whether it’s in our forests, the desert or deep blue sea, Australia’s unique biodiversity is under pressure. But with knowledge, courage, and collective action, we can turn things around. Just like the young people here in Cronulla are doing today.
📸 That’s me in the photo looking awkward with my wife Rachael - face-to-face with a Grey Nurse Shark. Would you swim with one?
I remember swimming with the grey nurse sharks at Fairy Bower Manly 50 years ago, they used to come up and inspect you then swim away. There egg cases used to often wash up on the sand and looked amazing. There were many now I don't often see any there, very sad as they were fun to watch and be with. My parents always taught me they ate only other smaller fish, squid, rays etc and never harmed people. I was always comfortable around them. I don't think today's kids learn as much about the natural environment they share, except as theory rather than experiencing it as I was fortunate enough to do.