Top surfers 'fearful' of getting into the water in WA after shark attacks

Two of the world's top surfers say they're fearful of swimming in south-west Western Australia following two shark attacks near Gracetown within hours yesterday.

Father-of-two Alejandro Travaglini had surgery on both legs after he was mauled at Cobblestones surf break, while Jason Longrass is nursing a bite wound on his thigh after he was attacked at Lefthanders nearby.

Brazilian pro-surfers Italo Ferreira and Gabriel Medina took to Instagram to tell their fans they feel unsafe.

World No.7 Medina told his six million followers he “no longer feels safe training and competing in that kind of place”.

“Leaving my opinion before it’s too late!” he said.

The post has been liked by more than 130,000 people.

Event organisers at the Margaret River Pro suspended nearby heats and surf conditions forced a lay day today.

Organisers are liaising with the surfers about how to proceed.

Some locals are concerned the negative publicity could impact on local business, dent the reputation of the South West and reduce visitor numbers.

But Tourism WA says it has no “statistical evidence to suggest that shark attacks have impacted the number of tourists coming to Western Australia.”

“That’s not to say that they haven’t impacted on some tourism businesses, particularly water-based ones,” a spokesperson said.

There have been 15 fatal shark attacks in WA in 18 years.

Last year’s Margaret River Pro attracted 35,000 spectators over 11 days and injected $5.5 million into the region.

The State Government has secured the event again next year, and today announced another two year partnership with the Busselton Iron Man event.