A large shark circling a group of five kayakers triggered an emergency evacuation at Hillarys Dog Beach, prompting authorities to issue a public warning amid a spike in shark activity along Perth’s coast.

The 5m shark was spotted by the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter crew just 600m off the popular dog beach about 10am on Wednesday, raising immediate concern for the safety of those in the water.

It also prompted a warning from authorities to take extra care in the water, with several detections of white sharks on the WA coast in recent days as families flock to the beach for the school holidays and as the weather warms up.

“Given the size of the shark and its proximity to the kayakers it was circling, the crew sounded the siren to alert beachgoers to the potential hazard,” a Surf L

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