An estimated 22-foot-long massive great white shark has been photographed in South Australia.
A Westpac chopper crew saw the shark January 17, 2015 swimming 328 feet offshore from Marino Rocks in Adelaide, South Australia.
Shark Alerts South Australia reports the crew was able to use one of their nearly 20-foot-long speed boats as a size comparison.
Police were notified of the shark’s presence and evacuated the waters nearby.
Surf Life Saving SA confirmed 53 shark had been sighted this season, compared to 30 sightings around the same time last year and 39 sightings in 2013/14.”
“While there is no evidence at this time that there is any greater risk than in previous years, Surf Life Saving SA in consultation with officers from SA Police and PIRSA Fishwatch, encourage everyone using the water to be aware that there are large schools of fish moving through our waters at this time of year and therefore the chance that a shark(s) may be following these is possible,” Chief executive Clare Harris told The Advertiser.
“If a member of the public does see a shark which poses a threat to human safety we recommend that they call 000 and the police will activate the closest emergency service asset to deal with it and alert the public.”
There has been some debate about the size of the shark, as it is somewhat difficult to judge the size of a shark from a helicopter.
This is not the first time a large great white shark has been filmed.
In 2014, a 20-foot-long female white pointer was filmed off the coast of Mexico.
The shark, named Deep blue is believed to have been pregnant at the time of filming and estimated to be 50 years old.
In 2012 another 20-foot-long shark was caught by fisherman in the Sea of Cortez.
The shark was reportedly already deceased when it was hauled in.
