Great white 'sniffs' out WA filmmaker

Esperance filmmaker David Riggs captured this spectacular image of a great white shark around South Australia’s Neptune Islands this week.

Mr Riggs, who makes nature documentaries, was filming in the area when the 4.2m creature approached their boat.

“This is how a great white 'sniffs'. It looks frightening but this, it really is, the last dinosaur. We must protect this magnificent creature!!!!,” he wrote online.

The Neptune Islands are a natural feeding ground for great white sharks, therefore sightings are frequent, prompting Mr Riggs to head for filming in his latest project.

“Notice how the water isn’t moving ... It’s approached the camera with caution,” he said.

“As this photo was taken a crayboat laid 30 pots in the bay.”