Beaches closed after four shark attacks in 48 hours in New South Wales, with murky rain runoff blamed for attracting bull sharks to coastal waters.
SYDNEY: Swimmers and surfers were warned to avoid beaches in eastern Australia after four shark attacks occurred within 48 hours.
Heavy rains creating murky waters have been blamed for the unusual spate of attacks in New South Wales.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales stated the turbid conditions were ideal for bull shark activity.
“We have such poor water quality that’s conducive to bull shark activity,” the water safety body told the ABC.
“Just go to a local pool, because at this stage, we’re advising that the beaches are unsafe.”
A surfer on the state’s Mid North Coast escaped with minor injuries after being bitten on Tuesday.
It was the state’s fourth recorded shark attack over the past two days.
In a separate incident, a shark bit a man’s legs as he surfed at Manly, leaving him in critical condition.
Hours earlier, an 11-year-old boy escaped unhurt when a shark bit his surfboard further north.
All of Sydney’s northern beaches have been closed until further notice.
On Sunday, a 12-year-old boy was seriously injured by a shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour.
“It was a horrendous scene at the time when police attended,” said Superintendent Joseph McNulty, NSW marine area police commander.
“We believe it was something like a bull shark that attacked the lower limbs of that boy.”
Scientists suggested recent heavy rain attracted bull sharks to coastal areas where rivers meet the sea.
“Sharks, especially bulls, are drawn to freshwater flushes to feed on fish and dead animals as they drift down from rivers,” said Culum Brown from Macquarie University.
“Given the incredible rainfall we have had of late, the risk of encountering sharks is high.”
