The dead shark that washed up near the children's beach at Shell Cove Marina on Thursday was "horrific and disturbing".
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That's the view of newly elected Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer, who has vowed to get to the bottom of what happened.
Cr Homer, a well known surfer himself said the coastal community of Shellharbour loved sea life and was shocked and horrified at seeing the dead shark so close to the marina.
About 50 metres away from where the dead shark washed up is a roped-off area where children can swim.
"It is all very unsightly and we don't want to see that here," he said.
"We are all keen to get to the bottom of what actually happened. Whether the shark died a natural death or whether it was hit by some sort of water-borne asset or what not.
"We are all pretty keen to actually really know what happened. I know that I want to get to the bottom of it."
The mayor added that the Fisheries department was investigating the incident.
"I'm still waiting for a comprehensive response from them," he said.
Meantime, the new mayor also weighed in on community concerns around anti-social behaviour at the newly-built marina.
Cr Homer said he had responded to a couple of those community groups on Friday morning about these concerns.
"I've also spoken to the council executive about the new marina and about tackling anti-social behaviour and the like," he said.
"It is an issue which has dragged on from the election campaign.
"Seeing as the marina is newly open and we are looking at the teething issues of a newly opened facility as well, we've all got our eye on it and we are looking at the issues that people are also raising online.
"CCTV is one that has been raised and no doubt it has to be investigated.
"One of the first council meetings is on January 4. I'll definitely be raising this issue and look at the teething issues of a new asset that has just recently been opened and investigating the best way to mitigate what's happening down there at the moment."
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