Shark alarm at Bay of Plenty beach
Tuesday, 02 December 2008
Thousands of people flocked to Bay of Plenty beaches to enjoy the first beach weekend of summer, but they were not the only visitors.
One beach had to be evacuated after a shark decided to swim between the flags, while jellyfish attacked other swimmers in the area.
Surf Lifesaving Bay of Plenty operations manager Sarah Lucas told the Bay of Plenty Times regular jellyfish and the more poisonous bluebottle jellyfish had made an early arrival and stung seven people.
Papamoa beach had to be evacuated on Sunday when a 2.4 metre thresher shark swam around the back of the flagged area.
Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club's acting patrol captain Ross Merrett said swimmers were told through loud speakers to leave the water when the non-aggressive shark arrived about 1pm.
It was chased away by an inflatable rescue boat, but returned several times and was seen so close to the shore it was clearly visible slicing through the shallows to chase fish.
- NZPA