Swimmers at a popular beach have been evacuated from the water after a massive Great White shark was spotted just metres from the shoreline.
An alert from VicEmergency was sent out at 6.40pm on Wednesday after the about four-metre-long shark was spotted off the coast of Sorrento Beach, on the south coast of Port Phillip.
Footage taken by a drone shows the shark stalking along the shore as locals evacuated from the water looked to the water to try and see the beast.
‘If you see the shark, report the sighting by calling Triple-Zero (000) or notify lifesavers immediately if you are at a patrolled beach,’ the warning read.
A spokesperson for VicEmergency told Daily Mail the alert was removed on Thursday morning as the shark had been sighted since.
However the public have been urged to keep an eye out for the animal and if it is spotted again another alert will be issued.
A spokesperson for the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) said the shark spotting had been confirmed by Life Saving Victoria (LSV) via helicopter.
‘We will continue to work with LSV and other agencies to monitor the situation. Shark sightings of concern should be reported to police via 000,’ the spokesperson told Daily Mail .
‘With more people enjoying the beaches across Victoria over summer and increased monitoring and surveillance by Life Saving Victoria, shark sightings often increase at this time of year.’
The Great White is the latest in shark sightings along the coastline outside of Port Phillip in the past couple months.
What is believed to be a Hammerhead shark was spotted just 50m off shore from Torquay on January 3.
A surfer reported a close encounter with a curious 1.3m Bronze Whaler just a day prior at Point Addis, just south of Torquay.
A massive Great White shark spotting has forced swimmers from the waters at the popular Sorrento Beach (pictured), on Port Phillip’s south coast on Wednesday night
The shark is yet to be spotted since leaving the beach but authorities have warned swimmers to remain cautious while swimming in nearby waters (stock image)
The VHA’s protocol after a shark is spotted involves a warning sign being erected that ‘recommends that swimming is not advised’ in the area.
Anyone who spots a shark is urged to immediately contact police at Triple Zero or inform lifeguards if the beach is patrolled.
‘On a patrolled beach, LSV will immediately warn swimmers, close the beach and attend to the victim until an ambulance arrives, should it be necessary,’ the VHA website reads.
Once authorities have confirmed there is no longer any sharks in the area, the beach will be reopened.