Dozens of beaches across Sydney and Port Macquarie have been closed after four shark attacks in two days amid murky waters.
SYDNEY: Authorities in Australia have closed dozens of beaches along the country’s east coast following a series of shark attacks within just 48 hours. The closures, including all beaches across Sydney’s Northern Beaches and around Port Macquarie, aim to prevent further incidents while conditions remain risky.
The closures come after a man was bitten while surfing on Monday in Port Macquarie, roughly 400 kilometres north of Sydney. Health officials confirmed he remains in stable condition in hospital. On the same day, a 10-year-old boy narrowly escaped injury after a shark knocked him off his surfboard, biting through the board itself. A day earlier, another young boy was left in critical condition following a separate shark attack at a city beach.
Authorities said that heavy rains in the region have resulted in murky water conditions, which are known to increase the risk of shark activity close to shore. These conditions have made it difficult for beachgoers and lifeguards to spot marine predators in time.
Local councils and police have urged the public to avoid swimming or surfing until beaches reopen, as marine patrols monitor the situation. All beaches in the Northern Beaches council area will remain shut until further notice.
This recent spike in shark-related incidents highlights the need for ongoing awareness and precautions during peak seasons of marine movement, particularly when visibility in water is low. Australian coastal authorities continue to implement shark detection systems and public safety alerts in response.
