By ANNA USHER

Swimmers rushed from the water at Balmoral Baths on Wednesday, when two sharks were sighted inside the netted area.

Busy with mid-morning crowds on a 26-degree day, the predators made an appearance around 10am, prompting locals to question how they had managed to enter the secure swimming zone.

Local resident Ella told Mosman Collective she saw one shark around 12:10pm and estimated it was between 1 and 1.5 metres long.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen a shark at Balmoral and not something I expected in the Baths,” she said.

“The shark was swimming quite deep down in the water, and witnesses said it was chasing fish.”

Mosman Collective has received images of a large bait ball in the Baths on Wednesday at lunchtime.

Both the Baths and the Beach were closed by local authorities until further notice.

Another eyewitness, wishing to remain anonymous, saw two sharks measuring 1.5m and 1m.

“I would like to know how they found their way inside the netted area,” he told Mosman Collective.

“A few blokes reckon they got in through the gap between the top of the net and the jetty boardwalk at high tide.”

Peter told Mosman Collective he was preparing for his morning swim around 10:30am when a passerby advised him not to enter the water.

“I saw the shark with my own eyes,” he said.

“The water was especially clear this morning, and the sun made it easy to see the bottom.

“I estimate the shark was 1m – 1.5m, but I couldn’t tell what kind it was – or how it got there!”

A Mosman council spokesperson said a specialist diver has inspected the area in and around the baths for signs of sharks.

“Warning signs have also been placed on the shore and barricades placed in front of the baths to alert members of the public,” the spokesperson said.

“Nets in the area were inspected in the past month as part of routine maintenance.

“Further inspections will take place once the water quality improves, as it is presently murky.