Perth scuba diver Chris Johnson speaks out after lucky escape from shark at Hillarys

A Perth scuba diver has had a lucky escape after a 3.5m white shark took their spear — still with a fish attached — just off the coast of Hillarys.

Chris Johnson, 34, was diving 7km off the coast at 3 Mile Reef when he came face-to-face with the predator who was eyeing off his catch at 11.20 this morning.

“I unclipped my spear gun, waited for the shark to take my whole spear gun, and in just two chomps he took the whole fish and my spear, so yeah he can have both of them,” Mr Johnson said.

“He came about a metre and a half off and turned last second... just straight for my fish,” he said.

In a stroke of luck, Mr Johnson was wearing a brand new shark shield that he purchased on Sunday.

“I had my shark shield on I brought it bloody yesterday, so brand new first time in the water,” he said.

It’s not the first time the avid scuba diver has brushed his luck with the ocean predators.

“(I) got a pretty good experience with sharks but at first he was quite interested. I think once he had that fish, got it in two gulps,” Mr Johnson said.

After his close call, Mr Johnson made a desperate dash back to the safety of his boat.

“I remember (I swam) straight to the surface and I thought ‘I don’t care I’m getting back on that boat’,” he said. The shark was sighted earlier yesterday morning in the marina, prompting fisheries to release a statement.

“DPIRD advises the shark sighted was believed to be a 3.5m white shark, which could be a threat to people,” a statement said.

Authorities are urging additional caution in the Three Mile Reef area, particularly those who are diving. Fisheries officers say they are now are monitoring the situation.

In 2016, university lecturer Doreen Collyer, 60, was fatally attacked in a similar area, while diving a kilometre out from Mindarie Marina between One and Three Mile reefs.

That predator was also said to be a large great white, with witnesses saying the shark was bigger than their five-metre boat.

Any shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.