Mr Bazic, who spotted two great white sharks near Swansea just two days before surfer Glen Folkard was bitten at Redhead, said the government needed to get fair dinkum about aerial patrols despite the costs involved.

Click on the image below for pictures from the Westpac rescue helicopter flying over Newcastle Beach.

The Westpac rescue helicopter offered its services yesterday while the national surf lifesaving series took place in front of a packed Newcastle Beach.

Mr Bazic’s company, Heliservices Newcastle, dedicates many unpaid hours each summer sweeping Hunter beaches, but he believes a small fixed-wing aircraft is the more cost-effective way of conducting patrols.

‘‘You’re talking $1300 an hour for a chopper or maybe $800 for a smaller machine,’’ Mr Bazic said.

‘‘I think the government needs to go back to how they did it years ago when they had a small fixed-wing aircraft heading up and down the coast probably three times a day.’’

The government is currently conducting a trial to see how effective aerial shark patrols are using different aircraft.

The trial area extends from Newcastle in the north to Mollymook on the South Coast with sweeps being conducted on weekends and public holidays.

The trial ends on Thursday.

Mr Bazic had four passengers with him when they spotted two great white sharks about four metres long off the Swansea breakwall last Monday before nearby beaches were cleared.

Two days later, Mr Folkard, also known as Lenny, was bitten while surfing at Redhead.

Mr Bazic said he was waiting with interest to learn what species of shark attacked Mr Folkard, who was in a stable condition in hospital last night.

Some witnesses believed Mr Folkard was bitten by a bull shark, but Mr Bazic said he wouldn’t be surprised if an analysis found that it was a great white shark.

‘‘Once upon a time you only saw the whites around Stockton, but the number of them these days is prolific and we’re seeing them further south,’’ Mr Bazic said.

‘‘Years ago, seeing a white down at Blacksmiths was like seeing a spaceship, but now it’s common.

‘‘I believe if nothing is done then a fatality is imminent,’’ he said.