Spearfishers attacked in shark feeding frenzy

Two divers have recounted a terrifying encounter with a pack of hungry sharks while spearfishing off the coast of Western Australia.

Chris Hodgkinson and Nick Hoad were diving for mackerel 16km off the coast of Dirk Hartog Island, in the coincidentally named Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

In their video, shared exclusively with 9News, one of the men shoots a nice fish, attracting a shark instantly.

READ MORE: Parents of shark attack victim thank first responders

© Nine
With line wrapped around his neck, Nick Hoad has another shark nipping at his ankles.

© Nine
The moment a bull shark latches on to one of the diver’s guns.

But as the shark pulls away with the fish in its mouth, the shooting line of Mr Hoad’s gun becomes entangled around his neck.

As he furiously fights to release the tension on the line a second shark then comes and bites at his ankles as he kicks away.

Mr Hodgkinson was also fending off sharks, capturing on film the moment a bull shark bit into his speargun, sinking its teeth into the rubbers.

The pair managed to clamber into their boat unharmed, escaping a feeding frenzy of an estimated dozen sharks including bull sharks and tiger sharks.

READ MORE: Sharks circle surfers as they feed on fish in bait ball off Bondi

© Nine
Chris Hodgkinson recounts the moment he and his dive partner found themselves in the middle of up to a dozen actively feeding sharks.

Veteran shark researcher Hugh Edwards told 9News that the two men could have been seriously injured.

“Because they bite on the leg, that’s where the arteries are – and the victim can bleed to death before he or she gets out of the water,” Mr Edwards said.

As for the two divers, they are reflective but unphased by the ordeal.

“Things could’ve gone a lot worse, but I guess things could’ve been a lot better as well,” Mr Hoad said.