Australia closes beaches after four shark attacks near Sydney in 48 hours
“New South Wales has shut dozens of beaches after four shark attacks in two days, including incidents near Sydney and Port Macquarie.”
Key points
- New South Wales has shut dozens of beaches after four shark attacks in two days, including incidents near Sydney and Port Macquarie.
- Officials cited unsafe conditions and murky water after heavy rain, while noting serious shark attacks remain uncommon nationally.
Australian authorities closed dozens of beaches in New South Wales after four shark attacks were reported over two days during the peak summer season.
Three incidents occurred around Sydney, while another was reported near Port Macquarie. In Port Macquarie, officials shut beaches after a 39-year-old surfer was attacked at Point Plomer. The man suffered minor injuries and was reported to be out of danger.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales chief executive Steve Pearce urged the public to avoid the coastline for now, suggesting swimmers consider pools instead. He said conditions had become unsafe.
Pearce attributed the heightened risk to poor visibility in the water following heavy rainfall, saying bull sharks can become more active when seas are murky.
In Sydney’s Northern Beaches area, a man in his 20s was bitten on Monday and was reported to be in critical condition. Separately, a boy escaped unharmed after a shark encounter at Dee Why Beach.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said beaches in the area would remain closed at least through Wednesday.
While the closures are disruptive, experts note serious shark attacks remain rare in Australia, with comparatively fewer fatal incidents each year than deaths linked to road crashes or drowning.
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