A man has died after a shark attack off the coast of Sydney, marking the first fatal shark incident in New South Wales this year.
Authorities confirmed that emergency services were called after the attack, but the victim could not be saved.
Shark encounters remain rare in Sydney waters, yet the tragedy has renewed concern over safety for swimmers and surfers.
The last fatal shark attack in the city occurred in February 2022, the first deadly case since 1963. That incident left residents shaken, as decades had passed without a recorded death from a shark in the area.
Marine experts said sharks are a natural part of Australia’s coastal ecosystem, and most species pose little risk to humans.
However, they warn that conditions such as early morning, late evening, and post-rainfall swimming can increase the chances of encounters.
In response to the death, officials have stepped up patrols and are monitoring nearby waters with drones, sonar buoys, and shark-tagging technology.
Several beaches in the affected area were temporarily closed as authorities investigated, with safety warnings issued to the public.
While millions of people visit Australian beaches every year without incident, the attack has reignited debate over human activity in shark habitats.
Conservation laws protect shark populations, leaving policymakers to weigh public safety against the ecological role these predators play in the ocean.
Residents and tourists have been urged to follow safety guidelines and remain alert as investigations into the circumstances of the attackcontinue.