By ANNA USHER

Specialist divers will return to Balmoral Baths on Friday to investigate whether two sharks have moved from the netted enclosure.

Mosman Council confirmed the predator/s were still in the enclosure on Thursday, 24 hours after they were first spotted by local swimmers.

The baths remain closed until further notice.

It is unknown which species the shark(s) are.

“The safety of all visitors remains our priority,” a Council spokesperson told Mosman Collective.

The spokesperson confirmed the net has been lifted in parts to allow the shark(s) an opportunity to exit Balmoral without human intervention.

“Council is also liaising with the NSW Department of Primary Industries in this regard, following a visit to the site on Wednesday by one of their shark experts,” the spokesperson said.

What happens next?

Tomorrow (Friday, 13 March, morning), professional divers will return to undertake a full inspection of:

• The net and perimeter structure
• The water within the enclosure to confirm whether the animal has vacated
• If the animal has left, the nets will be reinstated, and Council will reopen the Baths once the enclosure is secured.
• If the animal remains inside the enclosure, Council will seek specialist assistance to safely encourage the animal to leave.

A further public update will be issued once the inspection is complete.

Swimmers scrambled from the water on Wednesday morning after two sharks were spotted around 10am.

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.”

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!”