Fourth shark attack in New South Wales in 48 hours

A surfer has been bitten by a shark, in what is the fourth attack along Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) coastline in under 48 hours.

The man suffered minor cuts after a shark bit through his board near Crescent Head on Tuesday morning.

A young surfer had a similarly lucky escape at Dee Why Beach in Sydney on Monday, but a shark attack at nearby Manly hours later left a 27-year-old with “life-changing” injuries. On Sunday, a 12-year-old boy was also critically injured when bitten at a popular Sydney Harbour beach.

Experts have warned swimmers and surfers to stay out of the Australian state’s waterways, which have become a nutrient-rich magnet for sharks after heavy rains.

The 39-year-old surfer is currently in hospital in a stable condition, according to local reports.

The attack took place near the Point Plomer campground, about 450km (279mi) north of Sydney.

Authorities believe bull sharks were involved in several of the attacks.

Bull sharks, which can be found in both fresh water and salt water, are “one of the few sharks that are potentially dangerous to people”, the Australian Museum says. They are the third deadliest shark species, according to the International Shark Attack File.

Though Australia is a global shark attack hotspot, the chances of being attacked are still minute.

Police on Monday advised the public to avoid waterways in NSW due to recent weather, which has decreased water quality and visibility.

“I would recommend not swimming in the harbour or our other river systems across NSW at this time,” Superintendent Joseph McNulty told reporters.