Holidaymakers at Moreton Island, a popular tourist destination off the coast of Queensland, were stunned to witness hundreds of sharks swimming close to the beach. The sharks were seen chasing a large bait ball of pilchards, a natural phenomenon captured by a drone and shared on social media.
Dr Daryl McPhee, a shark expert from Bond University, said the sighting is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. He noted that large schools of pilchards moving up the coast attract predators like sharks, and such gatherings are not uncommon but are now better recorded and shared.
The sharks appeared to be a mix of whaler sharks, with species likely changing throughout the day. McPhee warned that while the phenomenon is remarkable to observe, people should avoid entering the water near bait balls due to the danger posed by the sharks.
This event follows similar sightings off the Gold Coast two weeks ago and at Point Cartwright on the Sunshine Coast in January. Earlier this week, rescuers also helped a critically endangered grey nurse shark entangled in fishing line off North Stradbroke Island.
