business - 2026-07-02

Spearfishermen escape injury after shark grabs catch at Newport Reef

Source: www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au

Two spearfishermen were forced out of the water at Newport Reef on Wednesday afternoon after a large shark believed to be a bronze whaler snatched a freshly speared fish and tore a spear gun from one man’s hands. Neither man was injured, but the incident drew lifeguards, paramedics and a rescue helicopter response before it was stood down.

Two spearfishermen were forced out of the water at Newport Reef on Wednesday afternoon after a large shark believed to be a bronze whaler snatched a freshly speared fish and tore a spear gun from one man’s hands. Neither man was injured, but the incident drew lifeguards, paramedics and a rescue helicopter response before it was stood down. Surf Life Saving NSW drone patrol reported a possible shark attack at Newport Beach shortly after 1.15pm on Wednesday, 1 July. Northern Beaches Council lifeguards and NSW Ambulance responded to the beach at Barrenjoey Road, where they found the men, both in their 20s, had made it safely back to shore after a close encounter offshore. The men said they had been spearfishing at Newport Reef when the shark approached after they caught a fish with a spear gun. One of them said the shark moved in quickly, apparently drawn by blood in the water from the impaled fish. According to his account, the shark grabbed the fish and ripped the spear gun from his hands before swimming away with it. He and his companion then left the water quickly and went up the beach to alert the drone pilot on patrol. Once paramedics and lifeguards confirmed neither man had...