Shark attack: teenage surfer bitten on arm at Avoca beach on NSW Central Coast

A young surfer has been bitten by a great white shark on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Central Coast council on Wednesday said Avoca and North Avoca beaches were closed after the “shark bite incident” on Wednesday morning.

“Our thoughts are with the young surfer involved,” the council tweeted. “Please avoid both beaches at this time until the incident can be investigated further.”

The council said the surfer “sustained a wound to his right lower forearm”.

“A UAV [drone] operator has been deployed to North Avoca beach for further search.”

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A spokesperson for NSW ambulance said paramedics responded to a shark bite at North Avoca beach about 7am on Wednesday morning. The teenager suffered puncture wounds to his hand and went home before calling paramedics who took him to hospital.

“A teenage boy was treated for injuries to his hand and taken to Gosford hospital,” the spokesperson said.

Gosford hospital on Wednesday afternoon said the teenager had been discharged.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries said shark biologists had determined a great white was likely responsible.

“NSW DPI shark biologists have assessed photographs of the teenager’s injuries and surfboard and have determined the bite indentations are indicative of a white shark,” a spokesperson said.

DPI Smart drumlines were set at Avoca and North Avoca shortly after 7am on Wednesday as per normal practice, but no sharks had been caught, the spokesperson said.

Surf Life Saving NSW used a drone to survey the area on Wednesday afternoon.