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Malabar Ocean Swim event organisers ‘monitoring’ situation following fatal shark attack

Malabar Ocean Swim event organisers ‘monitoring’ situation following fatal shark attack
February 17, 2022

Event organisers of The Murray Rose Malabar Magic Ocean Swim 2022 which is scheduled to take place this Sunday 20th February off Malabar Beach, are monitoring the situation following yesterday’s fatal shark attack of a male swimmer at Little Bay – a popular beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

NSW Police this morning confirmed beaches including Bronte, Tamarama, Bondi, Coogee, Clovelly, Sth Maroubra, Little Bay, Malabar/Long Bay, La Perouse, Wanda, Elouera, north Cronulla and Cronulla beaches had been closed following the fatal attack.

Organisers of the The Murray Rose Malabar Magic Ocean Swim event - named after the Australian Olympian Murray Rose, and offering three different swim distances: a 1km ocean swim for 10 years and over, a 2.5km ocean swim for 13 years and over, and a 5km ocean swim for 13 years and over - released a statement following the shark attack advising “our thoughts and prayers go to the family of the deceased.

“We have the full support of the professional lifeguard service of the Randwick City Council, and we work in conjunction with them. The safety of the swimmers is our paramount concern. If the swim is postponed an alternate date of 6th March 2022 has been set.”

Mobile phone video footage of yesterday’s shark attack which was quickly picked up by global media, was also shown to police and surf lifesaving to help with rescue efforts.

SLSNSW Chief Executive Steven Pearce said its helicopter was launched and on scene within minutes, and “there was evidence of what has been a horrific attack”.

A New South Wales Ambulance inspector, Lucky Phrachnanh, said the swimmer had “suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of the attack and there was nothing paramedics could do when we arrived on scene”.

A witness told media he had seen a four-and-a-half metre great white shark attack the swimmer however the species of shark is yet to be confirmed by authorities.

Police are continuing to scour the water off Sydney’s eastern beaches as the search continues for the shark responsible for the death of the male swimmer.

Macquarie University Marine Scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta told ABC News the species could be a great white shark because of its behaviour during the attack and large size. But she said it would be unlikely the shark responsible would be found by authorities highlighting “these animals are capable of large geographical movements and is not likely that they would be sticking around in the area.”

Randwick Council advises that surf life savers are using drones and jet skis to check the immediate area surrounding Little Bay for further shark sightings this morning with Randwick  Mayor, Dylan Parker noting “Council Lifeguards will patrol beaches over the next 24 hours looking for any further sightings of sharks.”

It is the first fatal shark attack in Sydney waters since 1963.

Update: 4.05pm, 17th February 2022. Australasian Leisure Management has been advised that the event is cancelled

Related Articles

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18th October 2021 - Shark Warning System upgrade to boost safety for Western Australia beaches

22nd September 2021 - NSW Government boosts budget to deploy world’s largest shark management program

28th April 2021 - Council calls on NSW Government to remove shark nets from Sydney’s northern beaches

17th March 2021 - New report finds shark and ray species unique to Australian waters are in danger of extinction

28th January 2021 - Conservation Societies call for improved protection for endangered sharks and rays

16th November 2020 - SharkSmart WA app reaches 30,000 downloads in 12 months

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11th March 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society highlights endangered shark facing extinction

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18th February 2020 - Shark drumlines returned to Far North Queensland beaches within Marine Park

14th December 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society condemns NSW Government for slashing endangered shark protection

19th November 2019 - Shark-proof wet suit material could reduce injuries

28th October 2019 - Western Australian Government launches Shark Smart WA app

11th March 2019 - Aflex Technology provides massive inflatable for Big Tahuna Ocean Swim Series

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1st February 2016 - 1,250 take part in Wellington ocean swim event

24th November 2015 - Ocean Swim Series marks landmark anniversary

2nd March 2015 - Aussie Ocean Swim to feature on 2015 National Championships program

13th April 2015 - Malabar headland to be returned to people of NSW


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