TRANSCRIPT
The sunny spring weather had drawn people to Long Reef Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches for a weekend surf.
Among them was an experienced surfer, a 57-year-old local resident, who had only been out in the water for 30 minutes when disaster struck.
Witnesses describe seeing a shark.
Other surfers were able to bring his body to shore, but by then it was too late.
Too much blood had been lost. Emergency services arrived on the scene, but he could not be revived.
New South Wales Police Superintendent John Duncan says the incident happened about 100 metres away from the shoreline.
"Attempts to save his life were unsuccessful. And we understand that he leaves behind a wife and young daughter. It is terrible, terrible thing. And it is one of those freak incidents that happens very rarely. Obviously, there is a lot of people down at the beach at the time. It is a beautiful day here at Dee Why. So it's a great tragedy."
Beaches from Manly to Narrabeen have been closed until further notice.
Superintendent Duncan says resources, including drones, are being used to monitor for shark activity in the area.
"So we had a number of police boats, Surf Lifesaving, a number of jet skis. They are out looking obviously for the shark. To make sure - to see if we can find it. Obviously, we pass that information on to the Department of Primary Industries, who will be the key agency in terms of locating the shark; and working out what to do next. A number of beaches have been shut."
A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries says biologists will be involved in determining what species of shark may be involved.
The broken surfboard has been recovered and will be examined. A coroner's report will also be filed.
In a statement, Northern Beaches Council expressed their condolences for the death of the surfer, and thanked first responders and those who assisted police.
Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches branch president Rod McGibbon says the incident happened at an unpatrolled part of the beach.
"We didn't have volunteers there. Some surfers brought the victim back to the beach. And then our teams were then engaged through drones, and through jet skis, and other on water assets - as part of that follow-up activity."
Local surfer Bill Sakula says he and others in the community are in shock.
"I was looking at coming down and having a surf. I knew there was a little bit of swell and right before I was about to come down, I heard there was attack. I came down to have a look and there's helicopters and (police) cordoning everything off. So yeah, it is definitely a bit of a shock."
He says surfers know there is always a risk of a shark attack when they go out on the water - and he will likely surf in the future, but right now he will be taking a pause.
"Surfing is always a risk. If you're in the ocean, there are sharks. Simple as that. And like surfing in Narrabeen there are comparatively less people. And feels a little bit more spooky when you have less people next to you. But usually Dee Why is quite crowded. And I think a lot of people are just playing the odds - and not hoping someone gets attacked, but hoping it is not them."
Long Reef Beach does not have shark nets, but nearby Dee Why Beach does.
The New South Wales government's shark managemet program involves the installation of 51 nets between Newcastle and Wollongong from September until March.
Speaking to SBS earlier this week when the nets were installed for this season (1 September), wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotti says there are concerns about the use of nets because other marine animals get tangled in them.
And the effectivess of shark nets is also an issue.
"A shark net is kind of like a band aid. Sharks can swim around it, and then underneath it. It's not a complete way of blocking sharks. Unfortunately, the reason why so many people don't want them there is because they not only kill sharks, but they kill other animals like whales, dolphins, turtles and a whole other marine life."
Additional shark alert drumlines are being set up between Dee Why and Long Reef beaches, following this latest incident.
The technology allows sharks to be intercepted beyond the surf break; and once caught, they are tagged and relocated 1 kilometre offshore.
Anchored to the sea floor, the drumlines consist of two floatable devices (buoys) and a satellite-linked GPS communications unit attached to a baited hook.
The Department of Primary Industries say they want to collect more data before determining the effectiveness of drumlines compared to shark nets on the North Coast.
This incident is believed to be the fourth fatal shark in Australian waters this year - and the first in the state this year.
Shark experts say shark bites, particularly fatal ones, are rare in Australia.
According to the Australian Shark Incident Database, over the last decade an average of 20 people have been injured - and 2.8 people killed - in shark ecnounters each year.
By comparison, there were 150 coastal drowning deaths last year.
