A popular Port Stephens beach was evacuated on Thursday morning following a shark sighting.
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A shark surveillance helicopter with a NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) aerial team on board spotted a tiger shark at Birubi Beach about 7.43am.
The aerial team notified authorities and swimmers were pulled from the water.
The shark was reported to be one to 2.3m in length.
Read more: Shark sightings in the Hunter
Port Stephens lifeguard supervisor Phil Rock said the beach has been operating as normal from 9am when lifeguards came on duty.
Swimmers are now able to return to the water at the beach.
A helicopter flies along the coastline between Birubi Beach and Crowdy Head once a day each day of the school holidays as part of the NSW Government’s shark management plan.
Authorities are alerted by the aerial team if a shark is deemed to pose a risk to beach-goers
The aerial team have had a busy morning of sightings in the Great Lakes waters, which joins with Port Stephens.
A whaler shark one to 2.3m in length was sighted in Providence Bay off Yacaaba Head, across from Tomaree Head, about 8am.
Shortly after, a great white shark one to 2.6m in length was spotted off Jimmy’s Beach near Tea Gardens.
Additionally, a tagged great white shark has been pinged swimming around Bennetts Beach since 12.30am on Thursday.
The aerial team live tweet shark sightings at @NSWSharkSmart. A SharkSmart app is also available to download.