Shark sighting forces suspension of surf carnival at Sydney beach

A shark sighting off the NSW coast forced a surf carnival to be suspended twice today.

The shark was twice spotted off Cronulla Beach with competitors in the Intercities Surf Carnival watching anxiously from the safety of Wanda Beach.

It is a scene being repeated up and down the NSW coast with beaches around Newcastle closed for an eighth straight day today.

The only victim so far has been 17-year-old Sam Smith, who was bitten on the hand by a wobbegong while spear fishing near Mollymook.

Mr Smith admitted he was too close to the shark at the time as he was trying to film it up close.

He has had surgery for wounds to his hand and fingers.