The 3m shark had become caught up in a baited drumline, designed to catch sharks rather than allow them to stray into a swimming area, set off the north side of Stradbrooke Island, east of Brisbane.
When hauled to the surface the shark was seen to have suffered a massive bite which had taken away much of its midriff.
Experts determined that the bite must have been administered by a larger great white, of about 5m in length.
Drumlines and nets have proved effective in keeping potentially harmful sharks away from Australian beach areas. The animals are released alive where possible, but sometimes they die once snared.
Other victims include whales, dolphins and turtles.
Australian Vic Hislop, a well-known hunter of sharks, has sided with the creatures over the issue of beach protection.
He believes that too high a toll is being exacted in order to guarantee the safety of swimmers, and would prefer methods which frighten off rather than kill marine creatures.
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