Update
State government fisheries officials are unconcerned about the number of large bull sharks being caught in the Georges River.
They say it indicates“a healthy ecosystem”
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) responded to questions from the Leader after a 3.5 metre long bull shark was reeled in by two fishermen at Picnic Point on Wednesday.
Another large bull shark was found dead in the same part of the river late last year, and the owner of Mac’s Bait Bar at Blakehurst, Andrew Lazarides, said several bull sharks that been caught in the Georges River over the last two weeks.
A DPI spokesman said, “It is not uncommon for bull sharks to frequent the Georges River during summer and autumn months (November to April) and sightings in this waterway indicate a healthy ecosystem”.
“The maximum daily bag limit for bull sharks is one per day,” he said.
Update
The two fishermen who caught a 3.5 metre bull shark in the Georges River have been identified as Hassan Alameri and Luke Moir.
Earlier
A large bull shark has been pulled from the Georges River at Picnic Point.
Two fishermen, who have not been named, caught the shark on Wednesday near Revesby Beach, and photos were posted on Facebook.
Mac's Bait Bar at Blakehurst, which reposted the first image from a closed Facebook group, said: “Caught today picnic point. This time bigger than the last post mid December .. this one 3.5 metre bull. Approx 150kgs. They are there right under your noses people.”
Andrew Lazarides, owner of Mac's Bait Bar, said several bull sharks that been caught in the Georges River over the last two weeks.
“The others were in the 2 to 2.5 metre range,” he said.
“There are plenty there – we only hear about a small percentage.
“They could be anywhere from Captain Cook Bridge right up the back.”
Mr Lazarides said the sharks would also be lurking in Botany Bay and people should be wary of swimming in open waters.
“During broad daylight, swimming is probably OK, but not at dusk or dawn or when they are feeding on bait schools,” he said.
NSW Maritime issued a warning after a large bull shark was caught in the Georges River in November last year.
A post on Sydney's Fishing Forum Facebook page showed two men posing with what the Department of Primary Industries confirmed to be a bull shark carcass in the shallows .
“Caught this arvo half a kilometre down river from picnic point on the George's river,” they wrote in the caption.