Recent Spike in Shark Attacks Along New South Wales Coastline

Tue Jan 20 2026 11:31:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The state of New South Wales has experienced a worrying trend of shark attacks, with four incidents reported in just 48 hours, leading to increased safety warnings for beachgoers.

A surfer was injured in the fourth shark attack along Australia's New South Wales coast within a 48-hour period. The most recent incident left a 39-year-old man with minor injuries near Crescent Head. Authorities have closed Sydney's northern beaches as weather conditions may have increased shark activity. The increase in attacks follows heavy rains which can attract sharks closer to shore. Past incidents involved multiple injuries, raising concerns for swimmer safety in the region.

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

The 39-year-old man suffered minor cuts after a shark bit through his board near Crescent Head on Tuesday morning. He is currently in hospital in stable condition, according to reports.

This follows three other attacks in Sydney over the past two days. All beaches in Sydney's northern area will remain closed until further notice, the police stated.

NSW Superintendent Joseph McNulty explained that the recent weather conditions could have created a perfect storm environment for shark attacks, as heavy rains flush nutrients into the water, enticing sharks closer to shore.

The latest incident occurred near the Point Plomer campground, approximately 450km (279mi) north of Sydney.

Steve Pearce, chief executive of Surf Life Saving NSW, commented on the attack, saying the surfer was very fortunate to not have sustained any serious injuries. He indicated a strong warning against swimming or surfing near river mouths, as these areas can be hotspots for sharks, particularly after rains.

The previous attacks in the Sydney area included one incident on Monday at Dee Why Beach, where a young surfer escaped with minor injuries, while another attack the same day at Manly left a 27-year-old with severe, life-altering injuries. Additionally, a 12-year-old boy was critically injured from a bite at a popular Sydney Harbour beach.

Authorities suspect bull sharks were involved in these incidents. Although Australia is known for its shark attacks, the likelihood of being attacked is very low.

In light of the recent events, authorities have advised the public to steer clear of waterways in NSW due to deteriorated water quality following heavy rain.