{"id":111724,"date":"2021-02-07T06:11:58","date_gmt":"2021-02-07T06:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=111724"},"modified":"2021-02-07T06:11:58","modified_gmt":"2021-02-07T06:11:58","slug":"shark-in-the-shallows-shark-swims-in-ankle-deep-water-at-bop-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/shark-in-the-shallows-shark-swims-in-ankle-deep-water-at-bop-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Shark in the shallows: Shark swims in ankle deep water at BOP beach"},"content":{"rendered":"
A shark was spotted in ankle deep water at a popular Bay of Plenty beach today.<\/p>\n
The sighting of the shark at Matata beach follows several sightings at Auckland beachestoday and yesterday.<\/p>\n
Auckland Council warned to swimmers and recreational boaties at Eastern Beach to exercise caution after another couple spotted a shark at Maraetai beach about 8am.<\/p>\n
Adam Wilks, of Taupo, is camping at Matata beach with family and friends for Waitangi weekend when he heard people talking of seeing a shark about 3pm today.<\/p>\n
Wilks videoed the shark just metres from the water’s edge.<\/p>\n
“It was definitely ankle deep,” he told the Herald today.<\/p>\n
It was unclear what the shark was doing so close to shore, but Wilks said he understood fishermen in the area had brought in a kahawai and baby hammerhead on their line shortly before the sighting.<\/p>\n
“Potentially it was chasing them because one of our friend’s sons threw the baby hammerhead back into the water kind of where the shark was.<\/p>\n
“We just saw everyone looking so just ran down to have a watch and grab a video.”<\/p>\n
Wilks said shark sightings were common at the beach this summer. Children had spotted a shark about 30 minutes earlier but were unsure if it was the same one.<\/p>\n
“Someone noticed a shark and came running down to warn the [children] and they jumped out of the water.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I believe there’s a big bronze whaler who also comes through every year.”<\/p>\n
Wilks said they stayed at the campground over the New Year break and saw a shark twice.<\/p>\n
“And when we turned up [this weekend] people were like ‘oh yeah we saw one the other day’ and I think there may have also been another spotting yesterday.”<\/p>\n
Wilks said no one seemed overly concerned.<\/p>\n
“Everyone’s aware that we’re not alone out there but I guess they just don’t let it hinder them. A few of our mates went out for a swim since [the shark] was spotted.”<\/p>\n
His children, aged 14, 12 and 10, they hadn’t been back in the water yet but he knew they’d be back in there tomorrow.<\/p>\n
“It’s hard to stop them running into the water at this time of year.”<\/p>\n