Fourth shark attack in 48 hours injures surfer on NSW Mid North Coast

A 39-year-old surfer was bitten by a shark on Tuesday morning, 20 January 2026, at Point Plomer on the New South Wales (NSW) Mid North Coast, marking the fourth confirmed shark attack along the NSW coastline in approximately 48-72 hours. The surfer sustained minor cuts and grazes after the shark bit through his surfboard and grazed his leg.

He was transported to Kempsey District Hospital and later discharged after treatment, according to the Mid North Coast Local Health District cited by ABC news.

Point Plomer attack: What happened

The incident occurred while the man was surfing near Crescent Head, a popular but relatively remote beach area north of Port Macquarie. Witnesses reported seeing what they believed were multiple sharks in the water before the bite.


Authorities and local surfers suspect the species involved to be a bull shark, although no definitive identification has yet been published.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said the surfer was “very fortunate to not have sustained any serious injuries,” reported the outlet, noting that the area is known to have seasonal shark activity and is not protected by nets or smart drum lines, unlike more urban beaches.

Surveillance drones and patrols have since been deployed, and beaches from Town Beach in Port Macquarie to Crescent Head remain closed while the situation is monitored.

Spike in shark activity across NSW coast

This latest encounter is part of a cluster of shark interactions and attacks reported along the NSW coast in recent days. On Sunday, 18 January, a 12-year-old boy was critically injured after being bitten by a shark near Vaucluse’s Shark Beach in Sydney Harbour while jumping off a rock ledge with friends. He was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital with serious leg injuries.

On Monday, an 11-year-old boy escaped injury when a shark bit his surfboard at Dee Why Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Later that day, a man in his 20s was bitten on the leg by a shark at North Steyne Beach in Manly, suffering serious injuries and being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition.

These incidents have prompted multiple beach closures and heightened warnings from authorities, with Surf Life Saving NSW and local councils urging the public to avoid entering the water in affected areas until conditions improve and shark sightings diminish.

Environmental factors and shark behavior

Marine authorities and experts point to unusual environmental conditions as a possible contributing factor to the recent surge in shark activity.

Heavy rainfall and storm events across the region have led to murky water, increased river outflows, and higher levels of organic runoff, creating conditions that can attract predatory species such as bull sharks, which are known to tolerate brackish water and sometimes venture closer to shore.

Bull sharks are common in NSW coastal waters, particularly in summer and early autumn when water temperatures rise. These conditions can cause bait fish and other prey species to concentrate along beaches and estuaries, inadvertently increasing the likelihood of shark-human encounters.

In response to the multiple incidents, authorities have:

• Closed multiple beaches along both the mid-north coast and Sydney’s northern beaches.
• Deployed drones and jet skis to monitor shark activity.
• Issued advisories for swimmers and surfers to stay out of the water, particularly near river mouths and in murky or discolored water.

Surf Life Saving NSW and other agencies continue to assess conditions and coordinate surveillance to ensure community safety.