A unique combination of acoustic tagging and genetic and statistical analysis is contributing to the first evidence-based estimates of white shark population size and status in Australia.

White sharks are listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 and actions to assist their recovery and long-term viability are prescribed in a national recovery plan for the species. A priority action is to develop an effective means of estimating the size of white shark populations and monitor their status (population trend). This would provide a scientific basis for assessing recovery actions, and for local policies governing human-shark interactions: an issue of significant public concern.