Bermagui Bait and Tackle employee and keen shark fisherman Michael Muscat said shark numbers usually increased at this time of year, when the water warmed up and bait schools increased.

“I think it’s because there’s heaps of bait around, the water has warmed up a bit and bait fish have migrated down here,” he said.

Late last month, sharks were sighted off Malua Bay beach and Surf Beach, which closed the beaches for about two hours on both occasions.

A lifeguard who spotted the shark off Malua Bay said it was dark in colour and was about three metres long.

A hammerhead shark was also reportedly spotted off Broulee late last month.

The predators may be hanging around beaches because that is where Australian salmon usually are, Mr Muscat said.

He says he usually spots hammerheads and bronze whaler sharks.

He also said there have been some great white sharks and white pointers spotted near Bermagui.

He said sharks sightings shouldn’t scare people away from swimming at beaches, but he advised swimmers to stay away from the water at dawn and dusk, and to keep away from bait schools.