Australian authorities have issued urgent warnings for swimmers and surfers to avoid coastal waters following an alarming series of shark encounters along New South Wales’ coastline. The most recent incident occurred Tuesday when a surfer sustained minor injuries from a suspected bull shark bite on the Mid North Coast, marking the fourth such attack within a 48-hour period.
The concerning pattern began Sunday afternoon when a 12-year-old boy suffered severe lower limb injuries while swimming in Sydney Harbour. Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty described the scene as ‘horrendous’ and confirmed the child remains in critical condition. On Monday, two separate incidents occurred on Sydney’s northern beaches: one surfer sustained critical leg injuries at Manly Beach, while an 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped harm when a shark damaged his surfboard just north of the area.
Marine scientists attribute this unusual spike in shark activity to recent heavy rainfall patterns. Professor Culum Brown of Macquarie University explained that bull sharks are particularly drawn to freshwater outlets where rivers meet the ocean, following prey species that get washed downstream. ‘The incredible rainfall we’ve experienced creates ideal feeding conditions for sharks as they pursue fish and other organic matter flowing from inland waterways,’ Brown stated.
All northern Sydney beaches remain closed indefinitely as authorities monitor the situation. Surf Life Saving New South Wales continues to emphasize the importance of heeding safety warnings until water conditions normalize and shark activity decreases.