MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - In a concerning series of incidents, a surfer suffered minor injuries from a shark bite on Tuesday, marking the fourth attack off the coast of New South Wales in just three days. The latest incident occurred at Point Plomer, approximately 460 kilometers (290 miles) north of Sydney, around 9 a.m. Officials reported that the shark targeted the man's surfboard, which absorbed most of the impact. Thankfully, the 39-year-old surfer managed to reach shore on his own, where he received assistance from locals.
The bystanders swiftly transported the injured surfer to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for minor cuts and later discharged. This incident follows two critical attacks over the weekend, during which both a man and a boy sustained serious leg injuries. Additionally, another young boy's surfboard was bitten by a shark at different locations in Sydney on Sunday and Monday.
As a precautionary measure, beaches along the northern coast of New South Wales and northern Sydney have been closed indefinitely in the aftermath of the attacks. Authorities have deployed electronic drumlines off the coast, which are designed to alert them when large sharks take the bait. Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce cautioned that recent rainfall has deteriorated water quality, increasing the likelihood of bull shark encounters. "If anyone's thinking of heading into the surf this morning anywhere along the northern beaches, think again," Pearce warned, advising swimmers to opt for local pools instead.
On Sunday, a 12-year-old boy was attacked after jumping from a 6-meter (20-foot) ledge known as Jump Rock near Shark Beach within Sydney Harbour. Police acknowledged the heroic actions of the boy's friends, who jumped in to help and successfully brought him back to shore. Unfortunately, reports indicate that the boy lost both legs in the attack. The following day, an 11-year-old boy on a surfboard was struck by a shark at Dee Why Beach, but he escaped unharmed as the shark bit off a piece of his board. Later that evening, a surfer in his 20s was bitten on the leg at North Steyne Beach in Manly; he was pulled from the water by bystanders and transported to a hospital in critical condition.
All three of the beaches affected by the recent attacks are equipped with some form of shark protection netting. However, the location of the latest attack was reported to be isolated and lacked this safety measure. Dee Why Beach is notably close to where a suspected white shark killed a 57-year-old surfer last September. Previously, in November, a 25-year-old Swiss tourist was killed, while her partner was seriously injured while attempting a rescue during a swim near a national park north of Sydney.
Given the troubling nature of these incidents, local authorities continue to prioritize beach safety and monitor shark activity closely. As they implement preventive measures and adjust beach access, they reiterate the importance of remaining vigilant in waters that have been affected by poor visibility and increased shark activity.
