Australia's Bondi Beach closed after shark sighting

Australia's Bondi Beach was closed on Thursday and swimmers were ordered out of the water after lifeguards confirmed a shark had been spotted at the popular Sydney location.

The latest sighting came less than two weeks after several beaches were closed further north on Australia's east coast following sharks being spotted.

"The shark alarm went off at 3.30pm this afternoon... and Bondi Beach was closed," a local council spokeswoman told AFP.

The spokeswoman added that lifeguards would patrol the beach on Friday morning to ensure it was safe before allowing swimmers to return to the water.

There has been a series of shark attacks at beaches along the tourist hub of Ballina about 750 kilometres (around 450 miles) north of Sydney, with the most recent encounter in late July leaving a 52-year-old surfer with serious arm and leg injuries.

In two other attacks in the same region, a 32-year-old bodyboarder suffered severe injuries after he was savaged early last month and a 41-year-old Japanese surfer died after his legs were torn off by a shark in February.

In a separate mauling off Maria Island in the southern state of Tasmania, a scallop diver was killed by a shark last month as his daughter watched.

The attacks have sparked calls from Ballina locals for a shark cull, Australian media reported, but it was ruled out by New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird, who is a surfer.

"I understand their fears -- I mean, I've surfed those beaches, I love those beaches, but I understand why they are currently fearful," Baird told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Thursday.

"It's extraordinary, the attacks and the number."

Baird said he was open to the use of shark nets at the beaches to protect the public. Some 51 beaches in the state currently have nets in place, although the meshing can also trap other marine mammals.

Experts say attacks by sharks are increasing as water sports become more popular.