The question is often asked, are there sharks on the Mornington Peninsula and when and where will I find them. Over the years I’ve collated a lot of data on our toothy inhabitants mainly from my own observations, abalone divers, shark fisherman and the aerial spotters that protect our beaches. The chances of an encounter with a big shark are few and far between these days with the increase in shark fishing and netting. Of the big sharks seen down here by divers its mainly been Thresher Sharks, Seven Gill Sharks and Bronze Whalers.
Below I have listed the sharks most commonly seen on the Mornington Peninsula and where they can be found;

Seven Gill Sharks: Grow up to 3m (10ft) in length and can be found in the Rip, Cape Schanck and Flinders. This species was responsible for an attack on a surfer at Flinders last summer and can be dangerous to divers when hunting in packs. Best place to see them is at “Ripbank”, Nepean Wall, Quarantine Drift and the “Playground”.

Angel Sharks: These small sharks grow up to 1.6m (5ft) in length and hunt by hiding in the sand and ambushing there prey. Best place to find them is off Rye Pier at night when they are hunting for small fish and crabs. A word of warning: be careful to keep your distance from them when filming as they will bite if threatened.

Port Jackson Sharks: Harmless shark which grows up to 1.5m in length with an appetite for abalone and sea urchins. They like to stay in large groups during daylight hours to rest. Can be found in small bommies and crevices on the back beaches, Lonsdale Arches and Rosebud Reef.

Wobbygong Shark: A shark which grows up to 3m in length with lightning speed but only found in small numbers down here. Sighted occasionally on Lonsdale Wall as well as Blairgowrie Marina, Point Franklin, Spray Point,”Supermarket” and Cottage by the Sea.

Thresher, Blues and Mako Sharks: Rarely seen by divers as like depths 40m plus water in Bass Strait and only in the summer months (January –April).

Bronze Whalers: Another summer shark which grows up to 3m in length. Comes into Port Phillip Bay during the warmer months to breed in Corio bay and around Mud Island. From January through to March we get numerous sightings off Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale, Rosebud and Point Leo and Flinders in Westernport.

Great White Sharks: The Peninsula’s Number 1 predator with the largest ever measured being 6.4m in length. Most sightings occur around the Seal Rocks region due to the large colony of Australian Fur Seals. There have been sightings of them at Flinders due to its close proximity to Seal Rocks, the top end of Westernport Bay and on the odd occasion in Port Phillip Bay. With only a small population of seals in Port Phillip Bay, Great White Sharks tend to only visit on the odd occasion and only for a short period of time before returning to the island.

Hammerhead Sharks: Small Hammerheads are seen in the top end of Westernport Bay and out in the deep water off Rye (21-23m).Larger Hammerheads can be found in the deeper water of Bass Strait 60m plus.

Swell Sharks: Found on the back beaches, Lonsdale Arches, Popes Eye and Flinders. Seen them up to 6ft long and are harmless to humans. Like to hunt through the kelp looking for crayfish and abalone.