Bali Marine Department Confirms Waters in Good Condition After Shark Sighting in Nusa Dua

Bali’s Marine and Fisheries Department has stated that the island’s waters remain in good condition following reports of shark sightings at Nusa Dua Beach on Sunday (24 May 2026). ‘The presence of sharks is actually an indicator that the water quality is not poor. If there is a top predator, it means the food pyramid and food chain are intact,’ said I Nengah Bagus Sugiarta, Head of the Marine Affairs Section at the Bali Marine and Fisheries Department, during an interview at the department’s office in Denpasar on Monday (25 May 2026). According to Sugiarta, the presence of apex predators such as sharks indicates that Bali’s coral reefs and fisheries ecosystems remain in good condition. However, he noted that the sharks might have been hunting and ventured to Nusa Dua Beach. Additionally, southern Bali’s waters are a migration route for predators such as sharks and whales. ‘It would be worse if there were no sharks, as herbivorous fish populations might then thrive unchecked. However, the reason for their presence there needs to be investigated,’ he added. Sugiarta admitted he could not confirm whether the shark’s presence near the shore was typical. He also highlighted the need to consider tourist safety, as sharks may approach beaches due to habitat disturbance or hunting for food. ‘If sharks were not previously present and suddenly appear, that would warrant research by institutions such as Udayana University or BRIN. However, we do not have the authority to restrict their movement,’ he explained. He suggested the sharks might be hunting tuna, which are abundant in Bali’s waters. Sugiarta also reminded tourists to exercise caution when visiting the beach area. However, he stressed that sharks should not always be seen as fearsome creatures, as many tourist attractions offer shark-swimming activities. ‘This phenomenon needs to be investigated, but it does not mean our waters are poor,’ Sugiarta concluded. Previously, sharks were suspected to have appeared in the waters of The Nusa Dua Beach in Badung on Friday (22 May 2026). ITDC, the operator of The Nusa Dua, confirmed the area was safe and the suspected sharks posed no threat to humans. General Manager of The Nusa Dua, I Made Agus Dwiatmika, stated that the beach area remains safe, with no reports of panic from tourists or locals. ‘We can confirm that security teams on the ground have not encountered any panic-inducing situations or disturbing reports from the public or tourists,’ he said on Sunday (24 May 2026).