A surfer has been hospitalised following a shark bite off the New South Wales mid-north coast, marking the fourth such alarming incident in the state in just three days.
Details of the Latest Attack
The attack occurred on Tuesday morning near the Point Plomer campground, less than 20 kilometres from Port Macquarie. The 39-year-old man was bitten by the shark but managed to escape with what have been described as minor injuries.
Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, confirmed the man was recovering with minor cuts and grazes and was in a stable condition in hospital. The NSW SharkSmart app logged the incident as a "shark incident" just after 10am.
In response, authorities swiftly closed beaches between Town Beach and Crescent Head. Donna Wishart from SLSNSW stated that drone surveillance had been activated and lifeguard teams were deployed to the area on jetskis.
A Spate of Incidents in Sydney Waters
This attack is part of a concerning cluster of encounters along the NSW coastline, particularly near Sydney following recent heavy rainfall. The brackish, murky water conditions are believed to be a significant factor, attracting both baitfish and the sharks that prey on them.
The recent incidents include:
- A 12-year-old boy bitten near Sydney's Neilson Park on Sunday, who remains in hospital.
- An 11-year-old surfer who had his board bitten by a shark at Dee Why on Monday.
- A man in his 20s who was left in a critical condition after being bitten at Manly beach on Monday evening.
NSW police have urged the public to avoid the water under these dangerous conditions. Consequently, all beaches in Sydney's northern beaches are closed until at least Thursday, as are many in the Vaucluse area.
Ongoing Response and Warnings
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is aware of the latest attack at Point Plomer and is expected to release a formal statement. The Port Macquarie Australian Lifeguard Service issued its warning via social media, informing the public of the closures.
Experts continue to stress that the current environmental conditions create a heightened risk. The combination of reduced visibility and increased marine activity makes swimming and surfing particularly hazardous. Authorities are maintaining increased patrols and surveillance while investigations into the recent attacks continue.
