Families flee as fin spotted at local Qld swimming spot
Shocking footage shows the moment families fled a Qld beach after spotting a shark fin, while one man swam just metres from the “massive” visitor.
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Startling footage has captured the moment families were sent fleeing a popular Queensland swimming spot after a shark fin was spotted in the water.
The clip, posted to a Maroochydore Instagram account on Sunday, captured the drama unfolding as beachgoers exited the water at popular Cotton Tree beach.
Locals were seen standing on the shore watching the shark swim out to sea via the Maroochy River when attention quickly turned to a man seen floating only metres behind the shark – seemingly unfazed by the close encounter.
“Tax man just cruising,” the Instagram account captioned the video, making reference to the mystery swimmer.
According to local fisherman, “hundreds” of sharks lurk in the Maroochy River and Sunshine Coast waterways.
In 2021, a huge crowd gathered on the banks of the Maroochy River as two fishermen reeled in a bull shark measuring almost three metres.
At the time, local resident Steve Bemrose told the Sunshine Coast News he had grown up seeing bull sharks in the river but never one that size.
“I thought it might have been a stingray,” he said.
“The two blokes fought it for 40 minutes. It was massive; the fish measured 2.9m.
“I’ve been fishing in this area since I was a kid and never seen a shark that big.”
The aggressive species of shark are known to frequent the many beaches which line the opening of the Maroochy River.
Shark experts’ key to safety
Famous ‘shark diver’ and marine biologist, Andriana Fragola, explained what to do if you encounter a shark in the water.
“If you ever see a shark, never splash and run away,” she wrote in the clip.
“This makes you look like an injured prey item and will cause the shark to follow and chase you, hoping you are an easy food source.
The Hawaii-based diver and photographer can be seen in a clip under the water during a dive when a tiger shark appears and starts swimming towards her.
In order to educate her followers, she shows what happens when she starts panicking and trying to swim away and explained why this is a bad idea.
“You never want to look injured or compromised around sharks. You want to make sure you look like a fellow predator,” she said.
“So, instead of running away, turn and face the shark. Make eye contact and stand your ground.
As a last resort, Ms Fragola suggests placing a hand on the shark’s head and push down.
“And if necessary, push firmly down on top of the shark’s head. Following through to ensure they do not turn back.
“Exit the water as calmly and quickly as possible.”
Additionally, she warns her followers not to purposely attempt to dive with sharks, and to only use this trick as a last resort.
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Originally published as Families flee as fin spotted at local Qld swimming spot
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