Sophie Hutton took the photo above on Friday morning of what appears to be a beached blue shark on Byron Bay’s Main Beach.
Then on Saturday morning, comedian and resident George Smilovici was about to have a dip roughly the same spot when a similar looking shark jumped literally out of the water, beached itself momentarily in front of him, then swam back in the water.
George this year is celebrating 30 years of his hit ‘I’m Tuff’ which includes a national tour. At the time it knocked Stevie Wonder’s ‘I just called to say I love you’ off the charts.
Some Blue Shark Prionace glauca were tagged recently (2010) and they travelled 1,900 kms along east coast of Australia. They tend to travel in groups of the same sex. They also spend 35-58% pf their time in water 50 metres or less in depth, shallower at night. UP to 16% of time at depths greater than 300m. they tend to be in cooler water (17-20 degree centigrade). their favorite food is squid. this species is one of the most heavily fished sharks in the world. (one report says 10.7 million individuals caught in 2006!) these sharks are considered near threatened (IUCN) (quoting Stevens et al DOI 10.1007/s00227-009-1343-6)
Only info about any attacks w humans is from wikipedia: “from 1580-2013 only 13 known attacks, 4 fatal”
You are fortunate to see one. I don’t know about their attack behaviour styles. If you see one in the water, be calm and return to shore. Shark specialist/ filmmaker Val Taylor and others suggest if a shark bumps you, fight back. Predators don’t expect to be challenged. Reef sharks often bump first, before biting.
There is a lot more we can learn about these sharks. Eyes and cameras on the ready!
Yes, very good comment. I love sharks.
Best comment on the internet today 🙂
Great comment!