After 4 shark attacks in Australia in 3 days, beachgoers urged to "just go to a local pool"
Updated on: January 20, 2026 / 6:26 AM EST / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- A surfer was minorly injured in a shark attack at Point Plomer, New South Wales.
- This marks the fourth shark attack in the state within three days.
- Previous attacks resulted in critical leg wounds for one man and a boy, and a bitten surfboard for another boy.
- Beaches along the northern coast and in northern Sydney were closed for at least 48 hours.
- Authorities warned of increased bull shark risk due to murky waters from recent rainfall.
- Recommendations were made to swim in local pools instead of the ocean.
- Shark netting is present at some Sydney beaches, but the latest attack site was reportedly unnetted.
- Australia has a significant number of shark incidents and a high fatality rate compared to other countries.
- Two Americans have died from shark attacks recently in the U.S. Virgin Islands and California.