Cameras attached to great white sharks have revealed the infamous predators hunting in densely packed kelp forests for the first time.

Scientists previously assumed the seaweed provided a safe refuge for seals to hide in, but the new footage suggests this may not be the case.

“The film we collected gives us a new perspective on this species,” said Oliver Jewell, a PhD student at Murdoch University in the western Australian city of Perth. “We can see how they interact with their surroundings in real time, and they are able to make some pretty spectacular 180 degree turns in the kelp forest.”

The scientists managed to clamp cameras to the backs of eight sharks in South Africa, after enticing them in with a meal of fish chum.

They were amazed by the versatility of the large sharks as they cruised through the kelp, as the common wisdom was that they tended to remain outside to ambush emerging seals.

Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Show all 6 1 /6 Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Scalloped hammerhead shark Scalloped hammerhead shark fins were among those found being sold by an Asian food retailer in the UK. These sharks are endangered, and in parts of the Atlantic Ocean, their populations have declined by over 95% in the past 30 years. Istock/Janos Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Spiny dogfish In the samples of takeaway fish and chips sampled, spiny dogfish made up 90% of those sold under the names huss, rock salmon and rock eel. Doug Costa, NOAA/SBNMS Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Shortfin mako shark Another vulnerable species found in the dried shark fins tested in the British Asian wholefood retailer was the shortfin mako shark. Istock/Alessandro De Maddalena Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Blue shark Blue shark was also found on sale in UK shops. This species is not as vulnerable as the others but is still listed as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Istock/Howard Chen Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Nursehound Around a quarter of the sharks being sold in UK fishmongers were nursehounds, another relatively safe species that is nevertheless classified as near threatened. Mario Antonio Pena Zapatería Endangered sharks being served up in British fish and chip shops Misleading names in fish shops The scientists behind the study investigating the prevalence of endangered shark meat on sale concluded that shops must stop selling these species under "umbrella terms" that hide their true origin. Istock

However, the team did note that no kills were actually captured on film, suggesting the sharks were not as adept at hunting as they would be in open water.