Why shark sightings in Port Phillip are unusual

Several Melbourne beaches were closed following shark sightings in Port Phillip over the weekend.

A two-metre shark was spotted at Chelsea and there was a second sighting of a similarly sized shark at Safety Beach.

Marine biologist from the Humane Society International, Lawrence Chlebeck, says it’s “definitely possible” the two sightings were separate sharks.

“They’d be cruising around looking for appropriate prey items,” he told Neil Mitchell.

Mr Chlebeck says it’s “definitely possible that there’s a few” in the bay, but it’s very unusual for them to be seen.

“There’s definitely sharks in the bay but it tends to be smaller, colder water species that tend to stick to the bottom,” Mr Chlebeck said.

Press PLAY below to hear what people can do to reduce the threat of sharks when they’re swimming

Melbourne fisherman Vlad Ilich says he’s caught ten sharks this year.

“There’s plenty of sharks in the bay, it’s just that people don’t see them,” he told Neil Mitchell.

Image: Nine