Recent shark attacks and sightings

RECENT SHARK ATTACKS AND SIGHTINGS IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS

* NEWCASTLE, NSW, Jan - Five-metre great white spotted numerous times off the Newcastle coast, closing beaches for a record five days straight

* BONDI, NSW, Jan - Sharks sighted twice in four days prompting lifeguards to temporarily close Sydney's most famous beach

* ALBANY, WA, Dec - 17-year-old Jay Muscat attacked and killed by great white while spearfishing at Cheynes Beach

* PERTH, WA, Dec - Catch and kill order issued for elusive white pointer seen over two weeks near popular Warnbro Beach that was closed for days

* ADELAIDE, SA, Dec - Shark sighted at Glenelg Beach, forcing swimmers out of water

* PORT DOUGLAS, Qld, Dec - 18-year-old Daniel Smith mauled and killed in front of mates spearfishing at Rudder Reef, near Port Douglas

* PERTH, WA, Dec - Cameron Pearman, 13, bitten by two-metre shark while surfing at Port Bouvard, suffering minor leg injuries

* BONDI, NSW, Nov - Two great white sharks discovered dead in nets at Bondi Beach within a week

* PORT MACQUARIE, NSW, Oct - Competitive surfer Ryan Hunt, 20, bitten on foot by shark at Wallabi Point, kicks it away