The study has proven a mature bull shark is capable of travelling long distances after one of the predators was tagged at Jumpinpin on the Gold Coast and found 191km away at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay months later.

The discovery, part of a shark tagging program being conducted from the Gold Coast to the Fraser Coast, dispels commonly held beliefs that the species, which is common to the city's canals, was more likely to stay in one place instead of travelling in open waters.

The finding has inspired researchers to uncover more secrets about the mysterious creatures, including information on Coast bull shark movements and their behaviour patterns.

Despite the discovery, the bull shark still lags behind other sharks in the migratory stakes.

Shark research scientist Dr Jonathan Wherry said tagged great white sharks had been known to travel from Australia to South America while one tiger shark he had tagged made the trip from New Caledonia to the Fraser Coast.

However, Dr Wherry said it was exciting to discover bull sharks were travelling such long distances.

''It shows the bull shark could have more in common with its larger counterparts than once thought,'' he said.

''We are hoping this study will help us to better understand sharks where they go, when they go there and why.''

''I expect we will find new patterns of behaviour we were unaware of as we unravel their movements.''

Dr Werry said water temperature was a key focus of the study.

''Different species will stay within a few degrees of a certain temperature and this could help to pinpoint when sharks will be in different areas, including the beach,'' he said.

''Weather, water temperature, tides and breeding seasons all play a role in a shark's behaviour.''

In the past 14 months 40 sharks have been tagged in Queensland half of those were bull sharks in Gold Coast waters.

Tiger sharks and great whites will also be pursued on the Gold Coast during the next three years of the tagging program. Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace said the program was research and safety-driven.

''The program will complement our shark control program, putting bather safety first,'' he said.

''The results of the study will help us to make better informed decisions about future shark management on our shores.''

In the past year the Gold Coast's 11 shark nets and 38 baited drumlines have caught 65 sharks off the Coast.

www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/03/01/295811_gold-coast-news.html