Dozens of sharks hunt fish with fisherman on the shores of Murray Island in the Torres Strait

Incredible moment fishermen casually cast their lines out as dozens of frenzied sharks thrash in the shallows next to them

  • Fisherman was captured on video pulling in lines alongside thrashing sharks
  • The tawny nurse sharks feasting on school of fish on Murray Island, Torres Strait 
  • Fisherman on the island said they appreciate the sharks and don’t hunt them

Two fishermen have been captured casting out their lines while sharks thrash next to them in the shallows.

The footage was captured by Philomena Nona on Murray Island in the Torres Strait, an isle off Papua New Guinea south-west of Port Moresby, also known as Mer Island. 

Tawny nurse sharks are seen taking advantage of a large school of fish that swum near the shore.

Fisherman have been captured on video pulling in fish alongside tawny nurse sharks

About a dozen excited sharks are seen wiggling in the water and hunting for fish next to the fishermen.

The tawny nurse sharks are known for wading into the shallows of the remote island, and a previous video has shown them digging up pipi shells, which locals called the ‘pipi shuffle’. 

Fishermen leave the sharks on Mer Island alone.

‘We’ve always respected them and they clean up rubbish such as dead fish,’ local William Bero told Tropic Now.     

‘We have respect for everything around us, it’s all there for our appreciation and not to destroy or over-fish or do any harm.

‘It’s our job as custodians to look after our environment and all the animals.’ 

A dozen excited sharks are seen wiggling in the water for fish alongside the gentle fishermen

A dozen excited sharks are seen wiggling in the water for fish alongside the gentle fishermen

Tawny nurses are hardy carpet sharks found in shallow waters across the Indo-pacific and due to their docile nature are often seen in aquariums. 

The friendly sharks are nocturnal and will huddle together in small groups during the day, piled on top of each other. 

They feed on small fish and bottom-dwelling creatures, and are known among scuba divers for being gentle and friendly. 

The shark’s natural habitat is often frequented by fishers, and hunting and netting reef habitat destruction are some of their main threats. 

A school of fish ended up close to the shore on Mer or Murray in the Torres Strait

A school of fish ended up close to the shore on Mer or Murray in the Torres Strait