Shark attacks are turning our beaches into places of fear.

On the beaches around Ballina, on the north coast of NSW, that fear is palpable. With nine attacks, one of them fatal, in the 12 months before this program was produced, people are asking why and demanding action.

Four Corners investigates why these sudden spikes occur.

Filmed around Australia, Shark Alarm features extraordinary tales of survival.

Millions of dollars have been outlaid by State governments in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia on prevention and protection measures; but is it money well spent?

Environmental activists point to the high price paid by other marine life in the quest to make the ocean safe.

And there's intense debate over whether these antishark measures actually work.

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