Surfer bitten by shark at NSW beach

A surfer has escaped with a minor injury after being bitten by a shark at a beach north of Newcastle. 

The 31-year-old man was at Birubi Beach in Anna Bay, Port Stephens, with his wife when he was bitten on his lower leg about 9.30am today. 

He swam to shore where paramedics and an off-duty nurse treated what New South Wales Ambulance Inspector Luke Wiseman described as an "isolated leg injury". 

"Ambulance and paramedics assessed the patient, provided relief and transported him to hospital where he will seek medical and surgical review," he said. 

The man has since undergone surgery at John Hunter Hospital. 

Police are working with officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to investigate.

Birubi Beach, which was closed for several hours, has since been reopened.