Family beach photo with chilling detail in background sparks fiery online debate

14 August 2023 , 07:15

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A family photo at the beach caused a stir online following reports of a shark (Image: SES Chelsea Unit/Facebook)

A family beach photograph of a young child has sparked a fiery debate online about the unusual chilling detail in the waters behind them.

Taken at Melbourne's Carrum Beach, a snap of a father and young child playing on the beach at the water's end seemed innocent enough as you saw others playing in the sea to the side of the pair. The dad is pointing for the toddler to smile at the camera as the mum takes the photo of the family activity. But when they returned home they noticed a small detail in the water behind them - thought to be a shark's fin.

Emergency rescue service, SES Chelsea Unit, had earlier notified of an unconfirmed shark sighting at nearby Chelsea Beach on its Facebook page. The family wanted clarification on whether their child's first visit to the beach had encountered a shark sighting.

It appears there is a shark's fin in the background

The post, which had the image attached and a zoomed-in version aside it, read: "As many of you would be aware, yesterday, we posted about a shark sighting, just off the beach, between Bonbeach and Chelsea. "Well later, we received a message from a family, who follow our page, who were at Carrum Beach, earlier in the morning. It was their little ones first visit to the beach, and the gentleman’s partner grabbed a couple of snaps to record the day.

"Later, when they got home, and looked at the pictures, they noticed something in the shallow water, just behind them, was this our shark? Now I have to admit, when I saw the pictures, I wasn’t sure what they were, so I have contacted a number of places to ask their opinions, and they all agree that although they can’t confirm it’s a shark, they can’t say that it’s not. So, what do you think. The family are very genuine, and in fairness, they’re the first to admit that they’re not sure what they snapped, but they certainly would like to know. So if anyone has any genuine ideas of what it might be, please let us know."

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More than 150 people commented on the status, with each person having their own theory on the mysterious animal. One person wrote: "So from what I've seen every time I go down to the beach are banjo sharks. Could easily be one of those gliding across the water," while another said: "A dog … it’s a dog.. Ps banjo sharks are not actual sharks, they are a Ray." A third user commented: "Looks like a small shark so maybe that's why no one was attacked," while a fourth added: "Looks like a bird flying by tbh...." There has not been a reported shark fatality in Victoria in 30 years but beachgoers are still urged to remain cautious when entering the water.

Josh Luckhurst