Are shark bites on the rise and how can swimmers stay safe in Sydney?

Shark bites in Sydney harbour are rare, but climate change makes waters warmer, causing shark behaviour to change – including getting closer to beachgoers, Dr Chris Pepin-Neff says. Photograph: Karin de Mamiel/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Temperatures are soaring and waters are warming, pushing more people into the water for longer and potentially moving sharks closer to shore.

After a woman was bitten on the leg by a shark while swimming in Elizabeth Bay in Sydney harbour on Monday, we asked experts whether shark bites are on the rise in Australia and what you can do to stay safe.