A LARGE shark was sighted in the Swan River on Thursday, with reports that the 2.5 metre predator came within 15 metres of the shore in Nedlands.

Surf Life Saving WA received a report from a member of the public of a “2.5 metre white shark” was swimming near the Nedlands Yacht Club about 12.30pm.

Camera Icon The Eliza statue, in the Swan River after Aussie Cadel Evans won the Tour de France in 2011. Credit: News Limited

In January PerthNow reported a spate of bull shark sightings in the Swan and Canning River systems.

From December to January, there were 11 unverified bull shark sightings reported on the State Government’s SharkSmart website, as far upstream as Bassendean.

But the Department of Fisheries says an increase in sightings during summer is nothing out of the ordinary.

“As temperatures heat up, and during school holidays, more people are out on the water and making reports, so this is likely to account for an increase in reported sightings at this time of year,” Fisheries fin fish supervising scientist Brett Molony said.

In March, Perth man Robin Morritt, 61, filmed a close encounter with a sandbar shark just metres from the Swan River shore at Matilda Bay.

The juvenile shark, estimated to be 1.5 metres long, was swimming near the Royal Perth Yacht Club.

Camera Icon Perth man Robin Morritt filmed a close encounter with a sandbar shark in the Swan River near the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Credit: Supplied

Dolphin and bull shark sightings are relatively common in the Swan River, and there is also a historic report of a fatal shark attack in Perth’s main waterway.

A 13-year-old Scotch College student was attacked and killed when he was swimming near the college boatshed in January 1923.

He was bitten on the back of the thigh, but died about two hours later from shock and loss of blood.