Shark sighting reported, forces closure of popular Sydney beach

Shark alarms have once again sounded on a popular Sydney beach following a shark sighting, just a day after it was reopened.

Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed the closure of the beach due to a sighting on Saturday morning.

Lifeguards at Manly beach can be seen patrolling the waters on a dinghy as swimmers stay away.

“Lifeguards have closed the beach due to a confirmed sighting from the water,” an alert on Dorsal Watch, a community based shark alert app reads.

The shark was of an unspecified lengths and spotted around 100m from shore, according to the app.

The incident follows four recent shark attacks –including one on Manly beach on Monday where a 27-year-old South Coast musician was hospitalised in a critical condition.

Locals say they are getting used to the shark sightings.

“I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a sighting,” one social media user commented.

Jared Wright commented on the latest sighting, reminding beachgoers to follow advice and remain vigilant.

“With Manly Beach closed today due to a shark sighting, it’s an important reminder of the need for everyone to be safe in and around our beaches this long weekend,” the Central Coast councillor ]said

“The message remains clear, we need people swimming between the flags to help keep them safe.”

Manly beach is equipped with real-time shark alert drumlines, an aquatic shark detection technology.

A shark net 150m long and 6m deep is also in place at the popular tourist destination and swimming beach.

Mr Wright said he welcomed SLSNSW’s step up of shark surveillance.

“I am pleased to see that Surf Life Saving NSW will be carrying out additional drone patrols across the state this weekend.”

He said the sighting “highlights the benefits of increasing the use of drone technology to assist in identifying sharks”

More to come.