On social media, many viewers stunned after a viral video captured terrifying moment showing great white shark attacks fishing boat.
Fishermen face a shocking encounter with three great white sharks
A group of fishermen had a rare and terrifying experience off the coast of Port Stephens, Australia. They were participating in an annual fishing competition when three great white sharks approached their small boat.
Captain John Smith and his X-Stream fishing team were targeting legal shark species.
Suddenly, a five-metre great white shark, weighing over 1,500 pounds, appeared near their boat.
In footage captured by the crew, the shark aggressively bit the burley bag attached to the vessel.
As the fishermen tried to move away, an even larger shark surfaced nearby. The massive predator swam dangerously close, prompting concerns about their boat’s safety.
Social media reaction
Many were left shocked by the terrifying moment a great white shark attacked a fishing boat, raising concerns about the dangers of close shark encounters.
One person said: You are in their domain!
A second wrote: When the F will people understand you’re in the ocean that’s where they live … Stop being shocked. You’re in the kitchen so don’t complain if something happens
While a third: Stop throwing berely out and encouraging these sharks to come around boats it’s educating them boat man food
Another added: This shark is a giant shark and he dared to challenge the small boat.
Someone else said: My ultimate fear. I hated the jaws ride as a kid. Lol
Experts warn about the dangers of close shark encounters
@dailymailau The five metre great white can be seen bearing down on the crew’s burley bag off the coast of Port Stephens #shark #jaws #sharkweek #sharks #ocean #australia #crazymoments #dailymail #fyp
Newcastle and Port Stephens Game Fish Club president Troy Radford weighed in on the shocking footage. Additionally, he also noted that the second shark could have easily damaged the 5.5-metre boat.
“Earlier, it was chewing on the corner of the boat, even pulling it slightly underwater,” Radford said. “Big fish, small boat.”
Despite the danger, the crew remained in awe. They described the experience as “the spectacle of a lifetime.”
Fully grown great whites are rarely spotted in this area
Radford explained that while juvenile great whites are common in the region, spotting three adult sharks is rare. The sighting left the fishing crew exhilarated long after the incident.
“They were still buzzing when they showed me the footage,” he said. “The adrenaline was pumping.”
Most fishermen keep their best encounters private. However, the X-Stream crew decided to share their video for a reason. They wanted to draw attention to the Hunter Offshore Wind Zone project, which they believe could harm local marine life.
The 1,800-square-kilometre wind farm, announced in 2023, aims to power 4.2 million homes. But for fishermen like Radford, the impact on marine biodiversity is a major concern.
Fears grow over the impact of wind farms on sharks
Radford believes the wind project’s location is problematic. He argues that the area is one of the most biodiverse fishing spots on the east coast.
“We call it ‘the carpark’ because so many boats head there during the season,” he said.
He is especially worried about the impact on shark populations. “Wind farms emit electromagnetic fields, and sharks rely on electromagnetic signals to navigate. Their noses are incredibly sensitive,” he explained.