TWO big bull sharks have been caught between King Island and Wellington Point.
The haul last month raised a stark reminder that swimmers, wind surfers, kayakers and boat ramp users at the popular recreation area are not alone when in the water.
Bond University researcher Dr Daryl McPhee said bull sharks were common in Moreton Bay.
Wellington Point was a naturally productive area for bull sharks, which often herded schools of fish into shallow waters.
"Bull sharks move around where there is plenty of food," Dr McPhee said.
"No one knows how many bull sharks are in Moreton Bay but they are certainly not uncommon, particularly around Wellington Point."
Signs are usually put by authorities at popular recreation areas when sharks are seen swimming close by.
However, Dr McPhee said no more precaution than usual was needed following the bull shark catches last month.
He said fish like mullet often became more active after rains, meaning bull sharks might venture closer to the shore in pursuit of them.
Anglers were also more likely to catch bull sharks at Wellington Point after rains in summer and autumn.
Rain flushed out rivers and creeks, causing species that liked brackish waters to move into the bay.
Watch video below of bull sharks recorded on the eastern side of Wellington Point last week, swimming in the bay north of Hilliards Creek.
Redlands man Tony Morrison whose friend caught one of the sharks said the species ferocious temperament meant he stayed out of the water.
He said he often saw anglers drop lines to catch bull sharks at Wellington Point at night, near where people swam during the day.
He had also seen kayakers paddle out to drop bait between King Island and Wellington Point at high tide.
"I am always worried about bull sharks because they will bite you to find out," Mr Morrison said. "I am certainly not for or against sharks but people need to be aware."
Mr Morrison said he saw four bull sharks swimming underneath an old jetty at Redland Bay just last week.
The sharks had been there as anglers reeled in fish.
Bull sharks were one of the top three species that featured in attacks and were often in Brisbane and Gold Coast canals.
In the 54 years since shark netting and the rigging of drumline hooks started in Queensland, there has been only one fatal attack on a protected beach.
That was at Amity on North Stradbroke Island in January 2006 when 21-year-old Sarah Kate Whiley was killed by a bull shark.
Dr McPhee said the water was natural territory for sharks, which were not malevolent.
