Picture: Great White shark mauled by Greater 20 ft White shark

Published on Tuesday 27 October 2009 21:30

A LARGE great white shark measuring up to 20ft long is on the prowl off a popular Australian beach, according to officials.

Bite marks on the mauled shark suggest it was at least six metres long

Swimmers were warned to stay out of the water off Stradbroke Island, in Queensland, after the shark mauled another smaller great white which had been hooked on a baited drum line.

The 10ft great white was almost bitten in half.

The fictional shark in the blockbuster Jaws was estimated to be just 5ft longer. A picture of the blood-splattered great white – with huge bite marks on either side of its body – has sent shock waves across Australia.

Fisheries minister Tim Mulherin said: "A three metre-plus great white was killed off Stradbroke Island, near Brisbane, in the last few days.

"When the contractor pulled in the dead shark he was alarmed by what he saw. Massive bite marks, with a radius of 50cm, had carved off huge chunks of flesh.

"These bite marks had the distinctive triangular shape that indicated it must have been another great white.

"The experts believe it would have taken a great white at least six metres long to cause this kind of damage."

The great white shark, the most dangerous creature in the sea, was still alive when this spine-chilling picture was taken.