Warrnambool's main beach has been closed and beach-goers urged to use extreme caution after a confirmed shark sighting just after 2.30pm today.
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Members of the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club acted quickly to secure the stretch of beach between the breakwater and Granny's Grave after a group of surfers reported a shark about two-and-a-half metres long had brushed past a member.
Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club media and communications officer James Kol said it came after a flurry of shark sightings over the weekend.
"There were a couple of unconfirmed sightings on Logan's Beach over the weekend," he said.
"It's not too rare for them to be out in the open ocean like that particularly with the river water at the moment coming into the ocean - there's a lot more food for the sharks around that area.
"So there's been a few around, but we had a report this afternoon about one at the Flume around 2.30pm. We had a couple of surfers out of the water who went rushing up to the club to see if anyone was there but due to COVID-19 no-one was around.
"So we acted this afternoon and shut the beach after advice from fisheries and will monitor the situation this afternoon and hopefully we can get it open again as soon as possible."
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He said it's not yet known what type of shark it was.
"We don't know what type but there have been reports of Mako sharks feeding off of the river mouth," he said.
"It was believed to be about two to two-and-a half-metres in length and it swum up behind the surfer who came in pretty quick as well as a couple other surfers who saw it."
Mr Kol advised extreme caution over the next few days.
"Sharks live in the ocean so it's their area but it is quite rare to see a shark in Lady Bay and we just advise beach goers to exercise extreme caution particularly over the next few days," he said.
"The weather's meant to be pretty warm and balmy particularly as people want to get out and do their one-hour exercise a day and a lot of that involves the ocean but just keep an eye out and be careful around this time."
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Jessica Greenan
Journalist at The Warrnambool Standard covering both Moyne Shire and Corangamite Shire Council. Sometimes court. Special interest in all things environment.
Journalist at The Warrnambool Standard covering both Moyne Shire and Corangamite Shire Council. Sometimes court. Special interest in all things environment.
