Advertisement

WA fisherman dives into shark-infested water for 'fun'

Incredible video has emerged of a man jumping into the ocean with up to four sharks, off Western Australia’s north coast.

The daredevil told 7 News he was spearfishing with friends near their hometown of Ningaloo when he thought jumping in with the predators would be “fun”.

Rob said four silky sharks, between two and four metres long, swam to the group's boat on Saturday, as his friends fed them burly.

Most people scramble out of the water when sharks are swimming around, but a WA fishermen jumped on in. Source: 7 News
Most people scramble out of the water when sharks are swimming around, but a WA fishermen jumped on in. Source: 7 News

That's when the 23-year-old jumped in, and a mate captured the close encounter on his phone.

“I didn't have to get in, but I did because it's just fun,” he said.

“They were swimming under us and you can run your fingers over the back.”

Rob said he felt confident they wouldn't attack him because silky sharks aren't known to be aggressive. Source: 7 News
Rob said he felt confident they wouldn't attack him because silky sharks aren't known to be aggressive. Source: 7 News

“You grab his tail as he goes past and then he turns around and comes back and you scratch him,” Rob told 7 News.

Rob is no stranger to the creatures of the deep - he's been doing this since he was five years old.

He knows he may be criticised for swimming with the sharks, but the spearfisherman says he felt confident they wouldn't attack him because the silkies aren't known to be aggressive.

Rob said he's been swimming with sharks since he was five years old. Source: 7 News
Rob said he's been swimming with sharks since he was five years old. Source: 7 News

“It's like anything - if you're being mean, they'll be mean back to you. So take it easy and you'll be alright,” he told.

Despite this, the Department of Fisheries warned not to touch, feed, or swim with sharks.