Deep Blue: Divers encounter one of the largest great white sharks

Deep Blue was last seen 20 years ago, is believed to be 50 years old

A team of divers came across one of the largest great white sharks on record, reportedly last seen 20 years ago. The shark is called Deep Blue.

PHOTO:REUTERS

The shark is nearly six metres long and is estimated to weigh 2.5 tonnes and was encountered off the Hawaiian island of Oahu's southern shore. It was attracted to the region by the carcass of a dead sperm whale. Deep Blue is believed to be about 50 years old and has its own Twitter account, reported BBC News.

PHOTO:REUTERS

One of the divers, Ocean Ramsey, told the Honolulu Star Advertiser that they had been filming tiger sharks feeding on the whale when the shark arrived.

PHOTO:REUTERS

"We saw a few tigers and then she came up and all the other sharks split, and she started brushing up against the boat," she said.

"She was just this big beautiful gentle giant wanting to use our boat as a scratching post. We went out at sunrise, and she stayed with us pretty much throughout the day."

Ramsey said the shark was "shockingly wide" and could be pregnant.