Surfer refuses to come in after shark alarm sounds at Shelly Beach

A SURFER has defied a shark alarm and stayed in the water after an aerial surveillance team spotted three 2.5m great whites at Shelly Beach on the Central Coast yesterday afternoon.

The NSW DPI map advising its aerial team had spotted 3 x 2.5m white sharks at Shelly Beach, south of The Entrance yesterday about 3pm. “Surfers cleared,” it said. But one did remain in the water.

A SURFER has defied a shark alarm and stayed in the water after an aerial surveillance team spotted three 2.5m great whites at Shelly Beach on the Central Coast yesterday afternoon.

Ryan Waine was surfing his local break when the chopper sounded a shark alarm just before 3pm, clearing the majority of surfers in the water.

“Yeah I was aware once the alarm on the helicopter (manned by a NSW Department of Primary Industries aerial surveillance team) sounded but there are sharks close by in the ocean every time you go surfing — it’s just the fact you don’t actually see them,” Mr Waine said.

Ryan Waine, pictured during an earlier surf, decided to stay out in the water at Shelly Beach yesterday afternoon despite a shark alarm being sounded. Picture: Facebook

“If it wasn’t for the helicopter going past no one would be any wiser that they were there. There have been lots of schools of fish lately close to shore so they are always close behind looking for an easy feed.

“There’s a bigger chance of getting hit by a bus than getting eaten by a shark.”

North Shelly Beach on the Central Coast. Picture: Peter Clark

Three great white sharks were spotted close to shore at Shelly Beach on the Central Coast yesterday afternoon.

However, another surfer — Paul Roberts — who was out in the water when the alarm sounded said on Facebook: “After the helicopter did three loops and hovered above us then sounded the alarm we couldn’t get in quick enough.”

Justin Daniels, 43, was bitten on the hand and shaken from his board during a shark attack at the same break a year ago.

Surf Life Saving Central Coast director of lifesaving Brett Beswick said it was “foolish” for surfers and swimmers to stay in the water when shark alarms were sounded.

SLSCC director of lifesaving Brett Beswick has implored surfers and swimmers to exit the water when a shark alarm is sounded.

Justin Daniels after a shark bit him on the hand while he was surfing at North Shelly.

“This is a major concern,” Mr Beswick said. “It makes me scratch my head when people stay out in the water after alarms have been sounded.”

A NSW DPI spokesman said crews would continue monitoring local beaches as part of the shark meshing program. The Shark Smart app provides live alerts of shark sightings.

DRONE PATROLS ON THE WAY

With the official surf lifesaving season starting in a fortnight, local officials are gearing up for even greater surveillance of our beaches.

Surf Life Saving Central Coast will be one of just two branches in Australia to use drones for search, rescue and surveillance operations this summer.

James Irwin, Chris Fillingham, Matias Trewhela control a drone that will be used for shark surveillance on the Central Coast this summer. Picture: Mark Scott

The drones will be used for both preventive and reactive purposes, including large-scale search and rescue exercises and surveillance at high-risk drowning black spots during peak times.

They will also be used at the start of junior surf carnivals to ensure the water is clear and will be used as an added resource to check for sharks after potential sightings by members of the public or lifesavers.