Third Australia Shark Attack In Three Weeks

 An Australian swimmer is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a tiger shark in what is the country's second attack in two days and third this month.

The 26-year-old man was snorkelling in a lagoon in Western Australia's Coral Bay when the 3m (10ft) shark bit into his arm, leaving him with severe wounds.

Royal Flying Doctor Service spokeswoman Joanne Hill said a doctor was assessing him, but his injuries were not life threatening and he was in a stable condition.

The man, who is a tour operator, was due to be flown to Perth for further treatment.

Tiger sharks are one of the most aggressive species and have been responsible for deaths in the past.

The attack comes a day after a surfer was bitten by a shark at a beach near Newcastle on the east coast, in scenes witnesses said were "like Jaws".

Tattoo artist Glen Folkard, 44, was catching waves off Redhead Beach when a 2m (6.5ft) shark, thought to be a bull shark, attacked him in front of dozens of stunned swimmers.

Witnesses said the animal took a large chunk out of Mr Folkard's thigh as well as his board before dragging him under the water.

He managed to shake himself free and, with the help of fellow surfers, paddled back to shore trailing blood as the shark circled. He was then taken to hospital where he is said to be stable after surgery.

Even though Redhead Beach is "netted", lifeguards have not confirmed whether there were shark nets in the water at the time of the attack.

"It was kind of like Jaws, you know, the scene at the start... where everybody's pulled out of the water and it's a hot day and the water's inviting," a witness, named only as Peter, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"His (Folkard's) skin was really grey, he obviously lost quite a lot of blood."

Bull sharks are a medium-sized species known for their aggression and tendency to attack humans.

Around 500 people were on the popular family beach at the time, with about 100 in the water, according to reports.

Rescue helicopters conducting air patrols spotted several large groups of sharks nearby and beaches in the area were closed.

They reopened less than 24 hours later

But they reopened less than 24 hours later, although jet ski and helicopter patrols were continuing, as the schools of baitfish that are thought to have drawn the sharks close to shore moved further out to sea.

On January 3 another surfer was bitten on the arm by a shark off North Avoca beach, also on the east coast.

Another witness, Tony James, added: "It's just hit him and took him under for a bit. He's managed to get to the surface but I saw it start to follow him."

Fatal attacks are rare in Australia, with just 27 people killed in the past 22 years. (Sky News)