Overview

• A 16-year-old was bitten by a shark at Cabarita Beach on June 29, suffering serious injuries to his hand, arm and right leg.
• Nearby surfers applied a tourniquet and carried him to the carpark where NSW Ambulance paramedics provided treatment.
• He was airlifted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Gold Coast University Hospital and remains in serious but stable condition.
• The incident follows a recent surge in shark encounters along Australia’s coast as summer beach use and natural prey presence increase human-wildlife interactions.
• Authorities have deployed drones and drum lines and are conducting safety protocol reviews to enhance swimmer protection without disrupting marine ecosystems.