Port Phillip Bay: Shark sighting at Hampton beach in Melbourne

A shark has been spotted in the shallow waters of a popular Melbourne swimming beach in the city’s southeastern suburbs.

Hampton resident Anthony was walking his dog along Hampton Beach on Tuesday morning when he spotted the metre-long shark lurking about close to the shore.

“It was a surprise. I saw a fin and I'm a keen fisherman so when you see a fin it’s always good to go and check it out … I thought it was maybe a sting ray but when we got closer it was definitely a shark,” he told 3AW.

“It was surprising how shallow it was. One of the fisherman … came running back and made a claim it was maybe a baby mako.

“It had that shape. It certainly would’ve taken a few toes off.

“My dog was having a good look at it and she didn't go much in further than her toenails.”

Anthony said it was not a regular sight on the beach, which is about 20km southeast of Melbourne’s CBD.

“I’m not sure why it was so close to shore,” he said.

“It’s not something you see there regularly, especially when we’re swimming there in summer.”

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