Advertisement

Sharks swarm close to swimmers off northern NSW beaches

Aerial photos have revealed a school of sharks swimming frighteningly close to beachgoers in New South Wales' north.

The images were snapped by contractors working for the NSW Department of Primary Industries near Byron Bay at Wategos and Clarkes beaches, and The Pass.

A group of sharks can be seen feeding on bait fish as kayakers and surfers paddle nearby.

Far North Coast Surf Life Saving duty officer Jimmy Keogh told The Gold Coast Bulletin a combination of the bait fish and a small swell drew the predators closer than usual to humans.


“You can’t put it down to anything really but the bait fish came in closer because of the small swell and the sharks followed them,” Mr Keogh said.

“I would encourage surfers and swimmers take direction from life savers or DPI contractors and get out of the water when there are large bait balls in the water.”

Authorities have been working to keep a close eye on sharks around beaches after a spate of attacks in northern NSW over the past year.