Malabar Ocean Swim event organisers 'monitoring' situation following fatal shark attack

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.