The shark lurks behind a lifesaver on a jet-ski on Saturday. Photo: Nicholas Tonks <\/p>\n
All Newcastle beaches will close again on Thursday, with council lifeguards emphasising that the great white shark cruising along the coast for five days was \"of a size that has not been seen before around Newcastle\". <\/p>\n
Estimates have the near fully-grown shark as being five metres long and about 1700kg, with a council spokeswoman stating authorities would like to have a 24-hour period with no sightings before beaches are again opened. <\/p>\n
Newcastle Council aquatic services co-ordinator Peter Withers, who has served in the region for 37 years, said: \"We've consistently seen the big one every day.Certainly it's the biggest shark we've ever had and it's hung around longer than any other shark,\" hesaid. <\/p>\n
People sit on Nobbys beach on Tuesday after it was closed. Photo: Darren Pateman <\/p>\n
Newcastle would typically get as many as five shark sightings triggering beach closures annually, a number that hasn't changed much in years, Mr Withers said this year notwithstanding. <\/p>\n
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A late suspected sighting of the shark on Wednesday near Nobbys Head means the beaches will be closed for a record sixth consecutive day on Thursday. <\/p>\n
Prior to that, there was a sighting by those on board a police vessel off Burwood and Merewether beaches. <\/p>\n
A dolphin missing its tail was possibly killed by a shark. Photo: Craig Hollier <\/p>\n
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Beaches closed: Five-metre great white shark the biggest Newcastle has seen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The shark lurks behind a lifesaver on a jet-ski on Saturday. Photo: Nicholas Tonks All Newcastle beaches will close again on Thursday, with council lifeguards emphasising that the great white shark cruising along the coast for five days was \"of a size that has not been seen before around Newcastle\". Estimates have the near fully-grown shark as being five metres long and about 1700kg, with a council spokeswoman stating authorities would like to have a 24-hour period with no sightings before beaches are again opened Continue reading