Search continues for surfer feared dead after shark attack off South Australian coast
The search for a surfer feared killed in a shark attack off South Australia's western coast will continue today.
Emergency services responded to reports of an attack off the coast of Granites Beach in Westall Way Loop near Streaky Bay about 10.20am yesterday.
9News understands about six surfers were in the water but the 55-year-old man paddled out wider than the rest of the group.
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Search for surfers body near Streaky Bay in South Australia after believed shark attack Nine
Emergency services responded to reports of an attack off the coast of Granites Beach. Nine
A witness on a clifftop said they saw the shark attack the man, which left him floating before he was attacked again.
The witness believes the shark was about 4.5 metres in length.
"Eyre and Western Police immediately responded and initiated a search with the assistance of Police Water Operations, PolAir, State Emergency Service (SES) and local volunteers," South Australia Police said in a statement.
Streaky Bay is about 700 kilometres from Adelaide, on the state's far west coast.
The beach is popular among surfers on the Eyre Peninsula.
It's also known for having a large population of great white sharks.
A witness on a clifftop said they saw the shark attack the man. Nine
Shark expert Andrew Fox said whales are migrating at this time of year, and fur seal pups are learning to swim by themselves.
"That's a time when white sharks come in close and can be looking for those food sources," Fox said.
It is the third shark attack off the South Australian coast this year.
A 64-year-old woman, Pam Cook, survived being bitten while swimming at Beachport.
Simon Bacanello's body was never found after the teacher was attacked while surfing off the state's west coast in May.
A surfer died after an attack at the same spot in 1974 and another surfer, John Campion, survived an attack in 2012.
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