A man has undergone emergency surgery after being attacked by a shark at a West Australian beach.
Police said the man suffered leg injuries in the attack, believed to have been by a great white up to four metres long, at Middleton Beach in Albany about 7.30am (WST) today.
A woman helped bring the man ashore, said Senior Sergeant Roger Creamer from Albany Police.
"The witnesses tell us he was having a swim around 80 metres off the beach," Snr Sgt Creamer said.
"He started yelling. A woman has gone out off the beach into the water to assist him, and she's seen what she's believed to be a shark.
"A couple of other swimmers have also seen it, and said the same thing."
The man was taken to Albany Hospital where a spokesperson said he was in a stable condition and undergoing surgery for leg lacerations.
Surf Life Saving WA Operations Manager Chris Peck said beaches between Middleton Bay and Emu Point had been closed with local surf lifesavers, police and City of Albany rangers monitoring them to advise the public.
He said a member of the Albany Surf Life Saving Club helped the victim from the water after the attack.
"The man who was bitten received deep lacerations and it was a good thing medical help wasn't far away," Mr Peck said in a statement.
"Members of our Albany club have been shocked by the attack, but they quickly responded to close the nearby beaches and warn people in the area.
"All the local authorities are working together to warn people of the beach closure and I would urge members of the public to observe the signs and not go into the water in the area while the beaches remain closed."
Department of Fisheries regional manager Phil Shaw said the shark remained in the bay for some time.
He said sea rescue volunteers and a Fisheries and Marine officer were out on the water to monitor the area.
"Late this morning, they came across a great white shark, estimated at between three and four metres long," he said in a statement.
"They have been attempting to heard the shark out to sea.
"Safety for the volunteers and our fisheries officer must be kept in mind at all times, but every effort will be made to force the shark into deeper water and away from the beaches.
"We also praise the efforts of the Albany Surf Life Saving Club members who assisted the shark attack victim and the willingness of police and council rangers in responding to the immediate risk to keep the beaches closed while the shark has remained in the area."
