Teen attacked by shark on NSW Central Coast, beaches closed

A teenage boy was bitten by a shark while surfing at North Avoca beach on the NSW Central Coast on Wednesday.

Central Coast Council closed both North Avoca and neighbouring Avoca Beach after the incident, and they remain closed until further notice.

The young surfer was bitten on his lower forearm but was able to return home before calling for assistance. according to reports.

He was taken to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition, NSW ambulance confirmed on Wednesday.

Paramedics attended an address at Tramway Rd to aid a teenage surfer who suffered puncture wounds to his hand, a spokesperson confirmed to The Daily Telegraph.

"Our thoughts are with the young surfer who sustained a wound to his right lower forearm, near his hand,” Central Coast Council said in a statement.

"We ask that all community members avoid Avoca and North Avoca beaches at this time until the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the council can investigate this incident further."

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Shark 'most likely a great white'

Authorities say the shark involved was most likely a great white, News.com.au reports.

"Shark biologists have assessed photographs of the teenager’s injuries and surfboard and have determined the bite indentations are indicative of a white shark," a NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spokesperson said.

DPI confirmed plans to install mesh netting on Thursday on Central Coast beaches as part of the shark meshing program, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. This will still go ahead as planned.

Sydney swimmer killed by shark

In March, a diver fought off great white shark while swimming at Maroubra beach, another popular hot spot for Sydney surfers and swimmers.

The large shark, also known as a white pointer, supposedly swam horizontally at the diver before it "went for his legs", but the victim was able to "jab it in the snout" to scare it off.

Maroubra beach is close to Little Bay Beach where a swimmer was killed by a shark in February.

The man sustained "catastrophic" injuries from the attack, which resulted in several beaches in the area being closed at the time.

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