On November 6, 1984, at Cowes, Phillip Island, one of the largest sharks in recorded history was caught, measuring a staggering 6.33m and nearly 2.5 tonnes. More than 40 years later, local fishers say the waters surrounding Phillip Island continue to produce remarkable marine wildlife. Home to whales, sharks, little penguins and Australian fur seals, Phillip Island boasts one of Victoria’s most diverse marine ecosystems. While catches on the scale of the 1984 great white shark have remained exceptionally rare, those who spend countless hours on the water, be it at a jetty, on a beach, or on a boat, continue to witness extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Local fisherman Geoff said, “The biggest fish I caught was a 1.84m gummy shark, but the catch I’m most proud of was a 69cm snapper caught by my daughter; the largest animal I have seen off Cowes Jetty was a 6ft thrasher shark”. Geoff’s fishing experience is far from unique. Charter operator and recreational fisher Amanda has spent more than a decade fishing the waters of Phillip Island and said some of her favourite memories have come from encounters with large marine animals. As Amanda said, “I’ve seen huge seven-gill sharks, around four metres long, almost as long as the boat. I’ve also had whales swim underneath my boat”.
Charter and veteran fisher Craig described one encounter: “In 2018, at Berries Beach, I saw a 15-16ft great white shark about 200 metres from surfers”, demonstrating that we share our waters with some of the region’s largest marine predators, and although there are plenty of shark sightings, there hasn’t been an attack since 1988. Craig also described another unforgettable moment: “I watched a whale surface beside the boat with a dolphin in its mouth”.
Terry, another long-time fisher, remembered extraordinary marine life over the years, stating, “I’ve seen a 100-kilogram mako shark jump completely out of the water and watched a mother whale swimming with her calf”. He said such sightings were among the most unforgettable moments of his years fishing around Phillip Island.
Kayak fisher Robert, who has been fishing around Phillip Island for the past 17 years, said his biggest fish was a Port Jackson shark close to 3-4 ft. Robert’s proudest catch was a 1.5-ft-long cuttlefish. Robert also recalled another memorable sighting: “I’ve seen a massive stingray skirt around Red Rocks Beach, close to swimmers near the shoreline”.
While the giant great white caught in 1984 remains one of the most remarkable catches in Australian history, the experiences shared by local fishers show Phillip Island’s waters continue to surprise those who regularly venture out to sea. From great white sharks and seven-gills to breaching whales, giant stingrays and leaping mako sharks, the island’s coastline remains home to some of Australia’s most spectacular marine wildlife.
