Man survives WA shark attack

A man has been attacked by a shark at Albany, on Western Australia's south coast.

Police say the man was swimming at Middleton Beach about 80 metres off shore this morning when the attack happened.

He is undergoing surgery at Albany Hospital.

The shark is believed to be about four metres long, but it is not known what type it is.

The beach has been closed and attempts have been made to lure it further out to sea.

Acting Senior Sergeant Roger Creamer says the injured man was helped by another beach-goer.

"There were several people in the water at the time and the guy who sustained the injury was assisted out of the water by somebody at the beach who went in to get him," he said.