That's a pretty one eyed take on the uncertainties of marine population dynamics. The reasons for thinking shark populations are in decline are pretty solid: overfishing is a worldwide problem.

Bullshark activity is pretty closely tied to levels of run off into water. They're the only significant species of risk which tolerates estuarine brackish water, juveniles avoid adults and they seek out turbid water for opportunistic bait fish feeding. Sydney has had massive run-off from storms. The sewer outfalls encourage bait fish, people are insufficiently cautious.

And to cap it all, News Ltd is a Murdoch press right wing anti climate change factory for outrage to sell ads. The same Web page with this humerous cynical take will also give you breast enlargement stories, royal outrage, and flog conspiracy theories.

Yes, its true. We don't know how to count sharks well. No, this is not some magic "truth" moment and no, scientists are not in denial about this because of grant funding.

The author, Fred Pawle is on Sky news. That's like Fox, or worse. He also is listed on the IPA website, which is a right wing think tank like the Koch foundation or the Cato foundation. If you think this is dispassionate truth-telling I think you have a problem. He's a recreational surfing journalist.