Great white sighted as pros trust in Shark Shields Ben Dillaway

March 7th, 2009

Electronic shark deterrents are on standby at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros after a large white pointer spooked surfers practising for the events. Jet-skis equipped with Shark Shields have not been deployed yet but that may change following shark sightings in Northern NSW.

Northern NSW Lifeguard Co-ordinator Scott McCartney said a shark was spotted at Byron Bay yesterday while on Thursday a great white was feeding on bait fish at Cabarita. Surf photographer Dan Howard witnessed the feeding frenzy and said he has never seen such a big shark. "It had to be a white pointer because no other sharks grow that big," he said. "From the size of the tail it was at least five to six metres. "It was cutting through a school of bait fish and going for its life. It scared the s..t out of me. I'm scared to go back in the water."

Mr Howard said a number of the Roxy Pro competitors saw the shark and were just as shocked by its size. "I was talking to Megan Abubo (from Hawaii) when it happened and she said it was biggest shark she had ever seen as well."

Contest director Rod Brooks said the Shark Shields had been used at the event for a few years. "If a jet-ski driver sees a shark they just throw the device into the water and activate it, " he said. Two-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore said the devices gave her peace of mind. "But to be honest I have never seen a shark out in the water while I have been surfing ... touch wood. "It's interesting to know they've come up with technology to scare the sharks away."

The Gold Coast inventor of the Shark Shield, Bill Morrison, said they emitted an electronic pulse that gave sharks a fit. "It affects the nervous system of the shark and the shark has a fit when it comes into the area," he said. "If a shark comes into the area it will get them away."

Today the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro is expected to resume at Snapper Rocks while the Pro Show will rock Duranbah beach. The music festival, which begins at 1pm, features Bliss N Eso, Something with Numbers, Kram, Ash Grunwald and Dukes of Windsor.