Australia: Shark feeding frenzy closes beaches

A massive feeding frenzy involving more than 100 sharks resulted in the closure of several tourist beaches in eastern Australia today, a lifeguard official said.

Several beaches along Queensland state’s popular Gold Coast were closed for a second consecutive day after more than 100 hammerhead, gray nurse and whaler sharks were spotted feeding close to shore, according to Sue Neil, a spokeswoman for Surf Lifesaving Queensland.

Neil said most swimmers stayed out of the water, but some surfers were still putting themselves at risk by coming within metres of the feasting sharks.

“When they (sharks) feed on the bait fish they do close their eyes and there is a danger of collision,” she said. ”If they are chomping, they could very easily chomp on humans.”

Last month, a 21-year-old Australian woman was mauled to death by as many as three sharks in a regular shark-feeding area off North Stradbroke Island in Queensland.