Teenagers’ close encounter with shark at Waniora Point, Bulli

Incredible footage has surfaced of teenage siblings’ close encounter with a shark while snorkelling off Waniora Point, Bulli on Sunday.

The video shows the shark following close to the pair before turning quickly away. The two teenagers were left shaken after the incident.

Taia Hanley, 16, and sibling, Baxter, 13, were out spearfishing about 7am last Sunday when they encountered the shark off the popular surfing break known as ‘Peggies’.

The shark is believed to have been a bronze whaler.

The close encounter follows an incident yesterday when surfers fled the water at McCauley’s Beach, Thirroul and Austinmer following separate shark sightings around 7am.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra duty officer, Anthony Turner said most species of sharks are harmless to humans.

“Although humans fear sharks, they are important part of the ecosystem and a reality of the ocean,” Mr Turner said.

“Exit the water immediately if you sight a shark close to you.”

Tips to minimise shark encounters:

• Avoid swimming at dawn and dusk
• Avoid swimming at river mouths or in murky discoloured waters
• Avoid swimming, surfing in or around schools of baitfish
• Under no circumstances chase, poke or attempt to touch a shark.

Donation

YOU can also make a small donation towards the running of The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back websites through Paypal. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a small tip here of $2, or several small tips, just increase the amount as you like. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.

A$2.00