Adelaide teen bitten by great white shark he caught fishing sparks investigation

An investigation has been launched into the biting of a 16-year-old boy by a great white shark after hauling it onto his family’s boat off Glenelg. 

Nathan Ness was fishing with his father Michael Ness, when he reeled in the five-foot shark yesterday afternoon.

“I’ve heard that sharks with hooks in their mouth can’t eat very well, so I thought maybe it’s not a good idea to leave the hook in its mouth,” Michael said.

The pair used pliers to get the hook out of the shark. 

But as Nathan attempted to throw the shark back into the water, it attacked, biting him on the leg.

Government officials have launched an investigation into the circumstances but fisheries authorities strongly advise against reeling in sharks.

South Australia recognises great white sharks as a protected species, and sightings are relatively rare. 

Fisheries officials caution that individuals who target these sharks will face severe legal consequences. The penalty for capturing a great white shark stands at $20,000.

The Ness family has said it was unaware the shark was a great white.