Aerial patrols have reported the first South Coast shark sightings of summer but say no swimmers were endangered.
The patrol yesterday spotted 20 hammerheads about 25m from shore at Chinaman's Beach, Huskisson, as well as lone hammerheads at Sussex Inlet and south of Shoalhaven Heads Surf Club.
Swimmers could take comfort in knowing the shark activity was confined to nutrient-rich estuaries formed at inlets to the sea, aerial patrol general manager Harry Mitchell said.
"The sharks are around but they're really not looking for anything but marine life,'' he said.
"They're feeding near estuarine areas where nutrients and other food sources are being pumped into the ocean.''
Mr Mitchell said swimmers needed to be mindful of sharks until the end of March.
"As the water warms we'll see more activity closer to shore.''
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