The men were catching mullet late on Sunday afternoon when they realised a great white shark was caught in their net.

Tuncurry fisherman, Danny Elliott, said despite the many years the crew had been catching mullet at the beach, none of them had experienced anything like it before.

"We just put the net around a patch of mullet and the shark must've been in there," he said.

"It's the first time we can remember catching a great white in the net."

After realising what'd happened, the crew pulled in the net and untied it so the shark could get out, but the predator needed a hand to get off the sand.

Estimating it to be around 2.5 metres in length, Danny said he was more than happy to leave that job to "a couple of young blokes with not much fear in them."

"I stayed well away from it," he said.

"I'm a bit older and wiser."

Either disorientated or hungry for more fish, the shark got entangled in the net a second time on its way out and required further assistance before it finally swam free.

Despite the unique situation, Danny said it proved costly for the fishermen.

"We lost 80 per cent of the fish, I'd say. It did a lot of damage to the net," he said.

Related: The mullet run returns

Mr Elliott believed great whites were becoming more common off Nine Mile Beach.

"They seem to be getting thicker and thicker," he said.

"It's only the last few years we've been seeing them."

While he didn't consider them an enemy to fishermen, Danny said it was unsettling to know great whites could be hanging around while the crew members were swimming out with their nets.

Forster aerial photographer, Adam Fitzroy, was on hand documenting the mullet run when the incident occurred.

He was full of praise for the way the fishermen responded to the situation.

"They were very proactive, very efficient, they all worked as a team. A lot of bravery went into it," Adam said.

"Their first and foremost goal was to make sure the shark got back into the water."

The video of the incident has attracted national attention, with the Seven Network featuring it on both 'Sunrise' and 'The Latest' in the past 24 hours.

You may also like: Keep your eyes peeled, the humpbacks are heading north

Not Adam's first time sharing his images of the area's marine life with a wider audience, he says he's looking forward to the whale season getting into full swing and has one animal in particular in his sights.

"I'm taking my operation to sea. I'm looking for Migaloo," he said.

To check out more of Adam's photos and videos, click here.

Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Great Lakes Advocate newsletter here.