Australia: Huge great white shark forces beach evacuation as 'Jaws' lurks off shore

A seven-metre long great white shark spotted off an Australian beach forced the evacuation of swimmers on Sunday. The huge creature was pictured off the coast of Marino Rocks, just south of Adelaide in Southern Australia.

The shark is around the same size as the one depicted in the movie franchise, Jaws, and was spotted 200m off the shore. A Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter herded the massive carnivore further out to sea where it disappeared in deep water.

The police were alerted to the sighting and evacuated Seacliff beach, where a junior Surf Life Saving Competition was being held. A crew member with the helicopter team said that it was the biggest they'd ever seen in their time on the crew - "the photo really doesn't do it justice."

Surf Life Saving South Australia told the Daily Telegraph in Australia that shark sightings were particularly high this year - 53 compared to 30 in the same time last year.

"While there is no evidence at this time that there is any greater risk than in previous years, Surf Life Saving SA in consultation with officers from SA Police and PIRSA Fishwatch, encourage everyone using the water to be aware that there are large schools of fish moving through our waters at this time of year and therefore the chance that a shark(s) may be following these is possible," chief executive Clare Harris said.