Beachgoers reel from spike in national shark attacks

The shark attack at a popular Sydney beach on Saturday followed a horrific summer in which NSW saw its highest number of January attacks in a decade, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says Australia has the second highest number of shark bites worldwide, with an average of 22 bites per year.

SHARK ATTACKS IN NSW IN 2026:

* Woman in her 30s seriously injured while swimming at Coogee Beach in Sydney

* Nico Antic, 12, was attacked by a shark near a popular swimming spot at Vaucluse in Sydney’s east; This was the first fatal shark attack in Sydney Harbor in more than 60 years.

* An 11-year-old boy was bitten off his surfboard at Dee Why Beach in Sydney’s north, but there were no serious injuries

* A 27-year-old man was bitten and seriously injured in nearby Manly

* A 39-year-old surfer was attacked at Point Plomer on the state’s mid-north coast and escaped with minor injuries

RECENT SHARK ATTACKS IN OTHER STATES:

* June: A 35-year-old diver was killed after being attacked by a suspected 4.5-metre shark while spearfishing with his family off the coast of Albany, Western Australia.

* May: 38-year-old spearfisher killed in attack off Rottnest Island, Western Australia

* May: Another shark attack was recorded in northern Queensland, killing a 39-year-old spearfisher