Sharks feeding close to the shore have closed two Victorian beaches.
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Fairhaven and Thirteenth Beach were both cleared of swimmers after multiple sightings in the water on Thursday.
Surf Life Saving Victoria general manager Paul Shannon said it was unusual to have so many shark sightings at Victorian beaches.
More than 30 sightings just before Christmas closed Fairhaven beach, which was again closed on Thursday just before 3:30pm.
Sharks were also seen at Thirteenth Beach, near Barwon Heads about 5pm; between Angelsea and Aireys Inlet just before 3:30pm; and at Fairhaven about the same time.
Mr Shannon said a rescue helicopter, beach-goers and life savers had seen sharks in the waters of beaches along the Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine Peninsula this summer.
He said the sharks were bronze whalers, which fed in groups and had been attracted close to the shore by large numbers of bait fish in warm and clear water.
Mr Shannon said sharks had been spotted every day since Christmas and people should check the Victoria emergency website or app before deciding on a beach swim this summer.
He said life savers cleared beaches with sirens and by pulling down beach flags, crossing them on the ground and attaching red and white chequered flags.
Meanwhile, the Environment Protection Authority reported that there were 33 beaches rated good and three - Mentone, St Kilda and Port Melbourne - rated fair.
The ratings had improved from when 21 beaches were rated poor after last week's heavy rains swept faecal matter from roads and waterways into city beaches.
with Deborah Gough
