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Shark spotted in shallow surf on popular Aussie beach: 'Surreal'

Beachgoers at a popular beach in NSW had a surprise visitor on Monday, spotting a shark in the shallow waters of Boat Beach, a popular spot for divers.

Patrick Macy and his family were holidaying in Seal Rocks, around 275km north-east of Sydney over the long weekend, where he snapped a picture of what he believed was a bronze-whaler shark just metres off the shore.

"It was pretty surreal," Mr Macy told Yahoo News Australia.

"It wouldn't have been any more than about maybe five metres from shore."

Patrick Macy spotted the shark with beachgoers saying they believed it was a bronze whaler.
Patrick Macy spotted the shark saying he believes it was a bronze whaler. Source: Patrick Macy

Mr Macy snapped the pictures of the shark on Easter Monday, saying there had been some people fishing near the shore which he believes enticed the shark in.

"It was a very cool spectacle," he said, adding that no one was swimming at the time.

'Impossible' to tell the type of shark pictured

The shark wasn't able to be identified, with a spokesperson from Humane Society International saying it's almost "impossible" to tell from the image taken.

Mr Macy said people on the beach watching the creature believed it was a bronze whaler or copper shark.

According to the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the species is not aggressive and is often spotted close to Australian shores.

However the species can pose some safety issues to spearfishers and surfers.

Bronze whalers are often seen close inshore, feeding on schooling fish.

Earlier in the year, a photographer in Western Australia captured the incredible moment several bronze whaler sharks swam amongst surfers while feasting on salmon.

Wildlife photographer Blair Ranford filmed the three metre sharks swimming around surfers at Yallingup Beach, about three-and-a-half hours south of Perth.

Mr Randford said bronze whalers don't have a history of attacking people, but said the footage was a good reminder for people to steer clear of schools of fish that sharks will be attracted to.

"Not every shark in the ocean is a great white," he said. "But often the sharks are right under the salmon, making it very hard to see them at water level.

"So always best to assume they are there and act accordingly, as in stay out of the school."

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