Aerial shark watch extended as juvenile white pointer spotted near Marion Bay jetty on the Yorke Peninsula

The state government has extended the patrol season as another shark has been spotted in SA’s shallows. Video: Shark Watch SA

• Video: 4m shark in SA shallows
• Why so many shark sightings?

Aerial shark watch patrols will be extended for another month in South Australia, as huge sharks continue entering shallow waters off the coastline.

The extension comes as another shark sighting has shocked beachgoers.

On Thursday, standing atop Marion Bay jetty, adults and children were amazed at the magnificent appearance of a juvenile white pointer – exceeding the length of one metre – slowly swimming nearby, with its fin jutting above the water.

On Saturday morning, the state government announced aerial shark patrols will be extended for another month in response to the unusually warm weather and an increased number of sightings.

The shark surveillance aircraft will be monitoring the waters from North Haven to Rapid Bay, and on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula between Waitpinga Beach, east of Victor Harbor, and the Murray Mouth, only on weekends between 9.00am and 5.30pm until May 25.

SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie said these limited locations and times are sufficient to ensure community safety.

“Following a risk assessment by police, PIRSA officials, and the SES it was determined that it would be appropriate for these patrols to be extended on weekends only,” he said.

SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie said aerial shark patrols will be extended for another month. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Emergency Services minister Emily Bourke said this is one of the longest aerial surveillance periods the state has ever had. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Meanwhile, Emergency Services minister Emily Bourke said this is one of the longest aerial surveillance periods the state has ever had.

“We’re extending our shark patrol season for an extra month – and this comes on top of the fact that we started the season two weeks earlier,” she said.

“So today will be one of the longest aerial supports we’ve had in South Australia.

“We’re doing this so that we can make sure that when people are heading to the beach, having a good time with their family, they can do so knowing they can be that extra bit safer.”

Whenever the aircraft sounds the alarm, it means patrols have sighted a shark or something suspicious in the water, and swimmers are advised to seek refuge on land.