Shark caught in Georges River by Sydney fishermen
A LARGE shark has been caught by two fishermen in the Georges River in Sydney’s south west, prompting safety fears for the popular stretch of water.
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A LARGE shark has been caught by two fishermen in the Georges River in Sydney’s south west, prompting safety fears for the popular stretch of water.
The men posted photos of themselves posing next to the shark’s carcass on the sandy bank of the river.
“Caught this arvo half a kilometre down river from picnic point on the George’s river,” the post said.
NSW Maritime reposted their picture with the shark, warning people of possible dangers of swimming in the popular river.
“News in of a shark caught up the Georges River yesterday, take care out there,” the post said.
News in of a shark caught up the Georges River yesterday, take care out there. https://t.co/NysA94zwDa
— NSW Maritime (@NSWMaritime) November 27, 2017
But locals say the Georges River has always been shark-infested waters — with one person saying there were signs warning people.
MORE: THREE SHARK SIGHTINGS IN A MONTH
“I’m 34 and my parents have always told me about the bull sharks in Georges River. I mean they don’t just put those signs up for no reason,” one person commented.
The popular waterskiing spot is believed to be a haven for bull sharks according to locals.
“Been Bull sharks down there forever! If you grew up in the area it was common knowledge,” another person wrote.
Secretary treasurer of Club Picnic Point’s fishing club Wayne Peake was not surprised by the large haul.
“We don’t often see them on the surface, in the traditional Jaws way, but there’s evidence,” Mr Peake said.
“The other day we pulled in a large tailor with its head bitten off.”
Mr Peake has lived in Picnic Point all his life and said there is “a long history of sharks in the Georges River”.
“Since the 1900s there has been three or four fatal attacks in the Georges River and about half a dozen non-fatal going back to 1906,” he said.
The last known fatal attack was in 1946, when 14-year-old Valma Tegel dived off a jetty into the river near Como.
An eight-foot shark reportedly severed her left leg and she died shortly after her father pulled her onto the riverbank.