Four-metre shark circles fishing boat off Dawesville Cut, south of Perth

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Sorry, this video has expired Video: Shark circles boat south of Perth (ABC News)

A West Australian fisherman has had a close encounter with a four-metre shark after it circled his small boat in waters south of Perth.

Dan Zovko, 42, of Mandurah, was fishing about 100 metres off the Dawseville Cut on Wednesday when he spotted the massive animal approach the back of the boat.

"It was nudging the prop," he said.

"It was about the same size as my boat."

The shark was side-on to the boat and seemed to be "considering" its occupants, he said.

It was not aggressive but hung around for about five minutes, circling the boat three times in roughly six metres of water.

He described the sight as "awe-inspiring".

Mr Zovko said he drove the craft to the edge of the break to warn surfers in the area to get out of the water.

They left, but returned shortly after mistaking a dolphin for the cause of Mr Zovko's concern.

There were about 80 people in the water nearby, he said.

The sighting took place on the same day the State Government removed baited drum lines near popular swimming beaches after a three-month trial program ended.

Under the policy, tiger, bull and great white sharks, measuring longer than three metres, found hooked on the drum lines were killed. The Government is seeking federal approval to extend the baiting program for another three years.

Topics: shark, dawesville-6210

First posted