A TEENAGER is in hospital after being bitten by a shark while surfing at Town Beach in Port Macquarie on Monday morning.
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The 13-year-old was surfing just off the reef on Town Beach at about 6am on November 2 when the incident occurred.
The species of the shark has not yet been confirmed, but head lifeguard James Turnham who was on the beach when Ambulance NSW paramedics treated the teen, said it could have been a small reef shark or bull shark.
"He wasn't that far out. The waves are only breaking about 30-40 metres out this morning," Mr Turnham said.
"He was in the centre of the beach near the rocks where there is a bit of a reef.
"It has made a mess of his ankle and there was a small bite to his finger. It wasn't life threatening.
"He was in a bit of shock."
There were surfers along the length of the beach to the breakwall this morning. It is believed the boy's mother called out for help from other surfers when she realised what had happened.
Ambulance NSW Paramedics were called and treated the teen on the beach before transporting him to Port Macquarie Base Hospital, an ambulance spokesperson said.
Lifeguards have now closed Town Beach.
Mr Turnham said the beach is likely to be closed for the rest of the day.
A small, clean swell is coming through on Town Beach but a larger swell is expected to hit the region's southern beaches today.
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