A giant great white shark has been caught just off the coast of a popular Sydney beach.
Australia's Department of Primary Industries confirmed state contractors had found an enormous 4.65 metre long shark caught in nets off Maroubra beach, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Adam Cree, from Blue Reef Fishing Charters, said the sharked was the biggest he had seen in his 20 years running charters, according to The Telegraph.
Fishing blogger Trapman Bermagui later posted a photo on Facebook of the shark. But he noted he did not catch the shark or take the photo.
Maroubra beach was closed until 11am on Monday.
Many Sydney beaches are surrounded by mesh netting which acts to protect beachgoers from sharks. They are also fitted with whale alarms and dolphin pingers which deter animals.
But the programme has been criticised for also affecting marine animals not meant to be targeted.
In the latest report on the programme, it was found that 403 marine animals were caught in the netting in 2017-2018. Less than 10 percent were the targeted sharks, while most were rays or non-targeted sharks.
Taronga Zoo's Australian Shark Attack File says 18 attacks have occurred in Australia this year.
Newshub.
