On the morning of May 5, 2025, a three-meter male white shark washed up on Henley Beach South, prompting both concern and action among beachgoers. Onlookers watched as sharks flailed in the netted waters. This inspired the local community to come together and quickly react to save the animal’s life. This unfortunate event has raised alarm bells over the health of all marine life in South Australian waters. Scientists have documented a concerning increase in shark beachings in recent years.
It was a distinct, characteristic match to one they’d already rescued off Yorke Peninsula just a week earlier. Daniel Spendlove, a local citizen and business owner, has taken a leading role in the rescue effort. He is quite worried about the increasing number of marine animals washing up on shore.
Community Efforts to Rescue the Shark
A large party of beachgoers soon sprang into action to try to save the stranded shark. Daniel Spendlove, working in concert with Marie Liberatore, was instrumental in getting this shark returned to deeper waters.
First, when I arrived down there, I took off my shoes and socks. With the support of others, I just tried to kind of thread the needle on this shark,” Spendlove said. Although the shark had put up an amazing fight for survival, it couldn’t regain its strength after being returned to the ocean.
It was definitely a challenge, we all fought the good fight and dug a little further into the rabbit hole. She then cuddled in for a short hibernation. Although it was in deeper water, the shark started to go belly up and rolled over onto its back.
“She started to turn upside down and floating on her back.” – Daniel Spendlove
As those hopes for the shark’s recovery faded, rescue crews were on their way to take stock of the situation. After taking it to the municipal dump for storage until autopsy, town officials decided to bring it back to the beach and bury it.
Investigations into Increasing Beachings
Anton Covino, managing director of Shark Watch SA, said it’s very unusual to have so many sharks beaching in South Australia. This is the first time I’ve seen so many beachings occurring in South Australian waters,” he said. He noted the grave environmental consequences of these occurrences.
While there are many theories on the causes of these occurrences, definitive answers are still not available, Covino said. He elaborated that there are hundreds of theories. Next, it’s time to determine the cause of death for these sharks.
He wrote in alarming detail about the importance of a healthy ocean ecosystem. Covino was clear that a healthy ocean means a healthy marine ecosystem. This ecosystem should be flush with a healthy population of sharks.
“There’s something happening to bring in more and more sharks, whatever that is I don’t know, but there’s definitely more and more sharks getting sighted along our coastline.” – Daniel Spendlove
Public Awareness and Safety Measures
In response to the recent incident, a PIRSA spokesman requested the public to remain alert. Please report any shark sighting by calling the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline 1800 065 522. A spokesperson reaffirmed that they are deeply looking into the circumstances of the male shark’s death. They have stored samples for comprehensive analysis in the future.
We aren’t alone in sounding the alarm about strange things happening on our coast. Local residents have raised their concerns too. Daniel Spendlove, an ocean outreach captain for the nonprofit group, noted that a rise in marine life washing up onshore is a growing trend. There’s just been a lot more that’s unusual sea life washing up,” he added. “It’s like when you walk across a beach and you’re just a little random thing start appearing on shore.
Marie Liberatore, a resident and witness at Henley Beach South, remembered an amazing experience. Only several days before, she witnessed an injured stingray being rescued in the same manner. “I did observe a big ray — that was a big ray — get rescued the other night at Henley Jetty,” she said.
As the plan proceeds, both residents and experts continue to watch and document the progress. They are keen to find out further details regarding the condition of marine fauna across South Australia’s coastline.
