Hi, Clare! Thank you for posting. I love your name, by the way. Clare.
Anyway, sharks serve important purposes in the cycle of ocean life, but because man typically views sharks as a predator, when they appear in dreams, they often represent perceived threats.
Are you feeling fear in your dream?
The good news is that 1. you are aware of any possible threat and are safely out of harm's way when you are not in the water; and 2. when you are in the water, the shark passes by you without attacking.
Shark dreams are quite common during stressful times. Maybe you are becoming aware of a potential predator in your waking life. Sometimes, this "predator" is an aspect of your own self that threatens your own well-being.
The thing about sharks is that they need and live in water. Water in dream symbolism represents your emotions. Don't let your emotions hold threats for you. Keep calm and level-headed, not overly emotional.
I hope this makes sense for you. Thanks for posting!