Avoca and North Avoca beaches were closed by Central Coast Council on Wednesday, August 31, after a young male surfer was bitten by a shark at North Avoca in the early morning.
The 14-year-old surfer sustained a wound to his right lower forearm.
Council asked all community members to avoid Avoca and North Avoca beaches as the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Council investigated the incident further.
A DPI spokesperson said on Wednesday afternoon its shark biologists had determined a White Shark was likely responsible for the attack.
“The teenager suffered lacerations to his hand and was transported to hospital where he received stitches in one hand; he has since been released,” the spokesperson said.
“NSW DPI shark biologists have assessed photographs of the teenager’s injuries and surfboard and have determined the bite indentations are indicative of a White Shark.”
The spokesperson said DPI SMART drumlines had been set at Avoca and North Avoca at 7.13am and 7.17am respectively that morning, as is normal practice, but no sharks had been caught.
Surf Life Saving NSW deployed a UAV in the area at approximately 12.15pm to conduct surveillance flights, but no sharks were spotted.
The last tagged shark detected by the Avoca Beach tagged shark listening station was on Friday, August 26.
The DPI has confirmed that mesh netting will be installed on September 1 at Central Coast beaches in accordance with its annual Management Plan for the Shark Meshing Program.
Beachgoers are advised to follow the NSW SharkSmart Twitter feed or download the SharkSmart app for the latest information.
Further information on the DPI shark mitigation program including FAQs can be found at www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au.
Terry Collins
