Sydney, Australia: A surfer suffered serious injuries to his leg today after reportedly being mauled by a shark in the latest attack off Australia's east coast this year.
The 20-year-old man was surfing off Lighthouse Beach in the Ballina region, a popular spot some 740 kilometres (460 miles) north of Sydney, when he was bitten on his left thigh today evening, New South Wales state police said.
He was able to swim back to the shore by himself before he was taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital in a serious but stable condition, police added, saying the beach would be closed for 24 hours.
A Japanese surfer was killed in February, while a surfer and a bodyboarder were seriously injured in separate attacks in Ballina in July.
Before the latest reported mauling today, there were a total of 13 attacks in the state so far this year compared to three in 2014, according to Sydney's Taronga Zoo's shark attack file.
The spate of attacks as well as numerous shark sightings in the region prompted the New South Wales state government to launch a new five-year programme to monitor sharks off its beaches.
The plan will include drones circling popular swimming spots and the deployment of next-generation sonar systems.
The state, which has ruled out culling the animals as an option, hosted a forum involving some of the world's leading shark experts in September to explore various ways of reducing attacks.
Experts say attacks are increasing as water sports become more popular and bait fish move closer to shore, however, fatalities remain rare.
The 20-year-old man was surfing off Lighthouse Beach in the Ballina region, a popular spot some 740 kilometres (460 miles) north of Sydney, when he was bitten on his left thigh today evening, New South Wales state police said.
He was able to swim back to the shore by himself before he was taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital in a serious but stable condition, police added, saying the beach would be closed for 24 hours.
Before the latest reported mauling today, there were a total of 13 attacks in the state so far this year compared to three in 2014, according to Sydney's Taronga Zoo's shark attack file.
Advertisement
The plan will include drones circling popular swimming spots and the deployment of next-generation sonar systems.
Advertisement
Experts say attacks are increasing as water sports become more popular and bait fish move closer to shore, however, fatalities remain rare.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Railway Paramedical Recruitment 2024: Notification Out For 1,376 Posts, Check Details Apple Watch Helps Save Surfer's Life Who Swept Out To Sea In Australia Tamayo Perry, 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Actor, Killed In Shark Attack 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court "Reclaim The Night": Women Seek Justice In Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case "Want To Ask Congress...": Mamata Banerjee Snaps At Ally In Rape-Murder Case 8 Of Family Hospitalised After Consuming Wild Mushroom In Jharkhand: Cops US' UCLA Must Protect Jewish Students' Access To Campus, Judge Rules For 1st Time, Tricolour To Be Hoisted In Villages Of This Maoist-Hit Region Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.