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MAN DIVING FOR LIONFISH COMES UP ON 12-FOOT GREAT WHITE

When the Lionfish -- an invasive species that has recently flourished in Florida waters and causes all kinds of problems -- was first reported on in Florida, many folks did not realize that this fish with the venemous barbs made for a very tasty filet.

Soon though, restauranteurs created a market for the exotic fish that now brings in a nice price on a dinner plate. One of those restaurant owners who runs a nice place in Port Canaveral dives for his own Lionfish rather than buying them from divers. A few days ago, he was doing just that when a 12-foot Great White shark was also hungry for some Lionfish.

HERE IS THAT SCARY STORY

A Central Florida fisherman is recounting his close encounter with what he says was a great white shark off Port Canaveral.

Joe Penovich, his 19-year-old daughter, and a friend, Zack Spurlock, were spearfishing off the coast of Port Canaveral Saturday when they encountered what appeared to be a 12-foot shark.

"I couldn't believe what I was watching," said Penovich. "My voice is cracking and shaking. This thing was enormous and it had no fear."

Penovich said it was a great white shark, the largest predatory fish on Earth.

"Wow, those guys are so brave," said Kelly Richardson as she watched the YouTube video the crew put up Thursday.


Penovich is the owner of Grills, a restaurant in Port Canaveral. They were about 20 miles southeast of Port Canaveral spearing for lionfish for the restaurant.

Spurlock was on his third dive when he saw the shark.

"He came up and said, 'Hand me the Go Pro, there's a great white shark on the bottom.' I said, 'Are you sure about this?'" Penovich said.

"I really wouldn't want to be in the water," said Andrew Dibenedetto, 9, as he watched the YouTube video.

The video was posted Thursday and has more than 600 views.

"Honestly, it was like a scene out of 'Jaws,'" said Penovich.

While the sighting is rare, Penovich said fishermen are seeing them more often.

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