He then realised it was dead and lying on its side but he still waited a bit before going in closer to investigate.

The shark appeared to be a bronze whaler, male and measuring 2.3-metres with no visible signs of injury other than scrape marks down its side.

Mr O’Kane speculated the shark could have become trapped in the net, but how it came to be lying inside the shark enclosure is unknown.

He later returned with some help slipped it back under the net and swam the shark to beach, where a group of bystanders quickly gathered to check out his catch.

He had arranged for an incoming charter boat to come and pick it up on its way back through bar, so its body would not to alarm any more swimmers.

The fish has now been divided up and is in various people’s freezers, so at least it did not go to waste.

Swimmers are reporting there is a large gap under the net adjacent to the rock wall where the shark could have swum in.

The Eurobodalla Shire Council has been notified of the net needing repairs, while Fisheries officers from Narooma have also been notified.

There was more excitement down at Bar Beach on Saturday when a large red-bellied black snake came onto the beach before retreating back to the dunes.