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Beachgoers warned as great white shark stalks Meelup Beach during school holiday tourist boom

Claire Ottaviano and Natalie RichardsThe West Australian
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Meelup Beach is one of the tourist season’s busiest beaches.
Camera IconMeelup Beach is one of the tourist season’s busiest beaches. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

A great white shark stalking a popular holiday hot spot continues to linger in the area after the marine predator was detected off the coast this evening.

Fisheries WA has advised the shark was most recently detected at Meelup Beach at 7.07pm with Surf Living Saving WA sending another warning for huge crowds of holidaymakers visiting the region.

Despite the 3.5 metre shark being detected several times since Wednesday, including at 5.22 this morning, it is understood the beach remains open.

“It is possible that the frequency of the recent detections and sightings may increase the likelihood of encountering a shark in this area,” the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said in a warning to visitors.

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The beach was closed twice on Friday, moments after sightings of a 2 metre shark 20 metres off shore and a four-metre shark, which was spotted 100 metres from the beach by the Westpac chopper, which was patrolling the area.

At 10.12am today, Surf Lifesaving WA also warned a three-metre shark was spotted just 20 metres off shore, south of nearby Yallingup at Injidup Bay.

Fisheries officers, local rangers and SLSWA are monitoring the area but the Department says sightings are “not uncommon” throughout the year.

It comes just two days after swimmer Cameron Wrathall was attacked by a bull shark in the first Swan River shark attack for 50 years.

The 54-year-old needed emergency surgery for a 30cm bite across his upper thigh after he was bitten along Blackwall Reach on Thursday, about 8am.

Yesterday he was due to have a second round of surgery last night to repair fractured bones and severed nerves in his leg.

The beaches between Bicton Baths and Point Walter were closed for two days for patrols but have been reopened this morning.

Anyone who sees a shark is asked to report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

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