The Cougar

Tourists on holiday in the Australian state of Queensland have been warned to stay out of the water by authorities who fear a giant six-meter long shark might be prowling the coast.

Concerns were raised when a three-meter great white shark was found dead with two bites taken out of its body.The three-meter shark was almost bitten in half. Experts believe the bites were made by an even larger predatory fish. The great white was still alive when hauled onto a boat just off north Stradbroke Island. The shark was estimated to be just 1.5 meters shorter than the fictional monster in "Jaws". Swimmers have been warned to stay out of the waters. Surfers have reacted to the news of the shark attack with shock.

Australia is entering summer when shark attacks occur most often. Australia’s most popular beaches are protected by nets and drumlins, hooks hanging from lined buoys about 500 yards from shore. However, neither guarantees that sharks cannot get through. Since the net was introduced in Queensland there has been only one fatal attack on a protected beach.

Photo: QLD Primary Industries and Fisheries Dept/Barcroft Pacific via http://www.telegraph.co.uk