Search continues in Tas for white pointer shark

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There has been no sign so far of a large shark that attacked a teenage girl surfing in Tasmania's north-east yesterday.

A police boat and plane are continuing to search around Binalong Bay.

It has been a hot day but no-one is swimming at the beaches in and around the scene of the attack.

Police and Parks and Wildlife have closed all beaches as far north as the Gardens after 13-year-old Hannah Mighall was attacked by a five-metre white pointer shark at Bailey's Rocks yesterday afternoon.

The shark was spotted along the coast for several hours after the attack but so far has not been seen today.

A sea and air search is also checking beaches further south, including Beer Barrel Beach.

The police say they will not close other swimming spots unless the shark is seen nearby.

Police say it is unlikely any of the closed beaches will reopen until at least Wednesday.

East coast communities hope yesterday's shark attack will not deter people from swimming and surfing in the area this summer.

Greg Chippendale from the Scamander Surf Life Saving Club says the attack has shocked the community, but some surfers have already returned to beaches south of Binalong Bay.

"I've just got out of the surf at Scamander this morning me and a mate of mine up the road we were just out there this morning I think you can't sort of dwell on it," he said.

"What happened yesterday was just a freak thing that the odds of that happening to you are pretty slim."

CSIRO shark biologist Dr John Stevens says the attack was probably more exploratory then predatory.

"The wounds are not that particularly severe, whereas if a white shark was really having a go at you, it would certainly take your leg off quite easily," he said.

The girl's father says she has had surgery to repair muscle and nerve damage, but she is expected to make a full recovery.

source