In line with government protocols, Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches branch president Rod McGibbon said he expected Dee Why and Long Reef beaches to be closed for 48 to 72 hours.
Premier Chris Minns described the attack as an “awful tragedy”.
“My heart goes out to the victim’s family and friends. I also want to thank the first responders and community members who tried to help in such tough and confronting circumstances,” he said.
“Shark attacks are rare, but they leave a huge mark on everyone involved, particularly the close-knit surfing community.”
Shark attacks in Sydney are rare: before Saturday, only one death had been recorded from shark bites across the city’s beaches in 60 years. In 2022, Simon Nellist was killed at Little Bay, in Sydney’s east, by what authorities believed was a great white shark.
Shark nets were installed at Dee Why and 50 other beaches between Wollongong and Newcastle on Monday, the first day of spring.
There has been only one previous death from a shark attack at a netted beach in NSW – at Merewether in Newcastle in 1951.
On average, there are one or two fatal shark attacks each year in NSW, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database. The low sample sizes mean there is statistically no difference in shark fatalities between netted and unnetted beaches.
Shark nets have been used since 1937. In recent years, they have been supplemented by modern technology such as SMART drumlines, shark listening stations and drone surveillance.
The nets are rectangles of mesh net about 150 metres long. They do not provide a barrier, and sharks swim over, under and around them.
They are controversial because they indiscriminately kill dolphins, turtles, critically endangered grey nurse sharks and other sea life.
Before this event, the NSW government was finalising plans with three councils – Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast – to trial one beach in each local government area going net-free this summer. However, nets were still installed in all the usual places this summer.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
