Sydney beaches closed for third consecutive day after shark sighting

Beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs are closed again after another shark sighting in the area. The sighting on Thursday makes three consecutive days that beaches that have been closed after sharks were seen in the water. “Waverley Council lifeguards advise that all beaches in their local government area are closed following a sighting of a white shark at Bondi Beach,” the state government’s SharkSmart app warned on Thursday.

Waverley’s beaches include Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama. The closure comes after the latest sighting in the area. “Third day running,” Jason Iggleden, who has been posting footage of sharks on Sydney beaches via the online platform dronesharkapp said on Thursday.

“Great white shark at Bondi Beach please stay out of the water,” he wrote. Randwick Council beaches including Coogee and Maroubra remain open. The sightings come after Leah Stewart, 35, was mauled by a shark at Coogee Beach earlier in June, prompting further concerns over shark mitigation and management.

Further shark mitigation efforts have been cited as one potential way a $1.1 billion contingencies fund announced in the NSW state budget on Tuesday could be spent. Stewart underwent repeat surgeries including an arm amputation, before she was able to wake from an induced coma to tell her family she loved them.

“Leah has a long road ahead and still remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah’s long-term recovery,” her brother Joshua wrote in an update to an online fundraiser set up to support Stewart. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. More: