Pete Schultz in stable condition after attack by Grey Nurse shark at Shelly Beach

Pete Schultz, 53, has undergone surgery after suffering numerous injuries following a shark attack in the early hours of Tuesday morning from one of the most “harmless” species of sharks.

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A swimmer who was bitten by a grey nurse shark — a species usually considered harmless — suffered numerous injuries including a puncture wound to his stomach.

Pete Schultz, 53, underwent surgery on Tuesday afternoon to check no organs had been damaged in the pre-dawn attack at Manly.

An off-duty senior firefighter who had been swimming with Mr Schultz said he suffered “major trauma to various areas” including cuts to his left leg and back.

Fire & Rescue Chief Superintendent Ken Murphy said he heard Mr Shultz scream, saying he had been “hit by something”.

Peter Schultz is believed to have been attacked by a shark in Manly. Picture: Sara Whitelaw

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The men are members of the Manly-based Bold And Beautiful group who were swimming in Cabbage Tree Bay at Shelly Beach before 6am.

“People out of the water were yelling for us to get out because there was something in the water,” he said.

Mr Murphy helped give first aid to his mate as others, including a nurse who was passing by, helped stem the blood with T-shirts before paramedics arrived.

An example of a grey nurse shark. Picture: Stock.

The man is taken to hospital following the suspected attack. Picture: TNV

The Primary Industries Department said its investigations concluded Mr Schultz’s injuries were caused by a grey nurse shark — a critically endangered species which is generally considered harmless.

The size of the shark could not be determined, but other swimmers said they saw a 2m-long shark in the area later that morning.

Mr Schultz, an experienced swimmer who swam the English Channel, was in a stable condition on Tuesday night in Royal North Shore Hospital, where he had received numerous stitches to his wounds.

Peter Schultz is believed to have been attacked by a shark in Manly. Picture: Sara Whitelaw

Fellow swimmer Danny Lucas said he heard yelling and swam straight to shore, where Mr Schultz was being given first aid.

“There was a reasonable amount of blood on the footpath,” Mr Lucas said, but added Mr Schultz was “very lucid” and in good humour.

Members of The Skinny Dippers swimming club, who do the same swim at 9.30am, said they saw a 2m shark yesterday and decided to swim back.

Parts of Manly and Shelly Beach have been closed. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Mr Schultz was described by friends as a “strong swimmer”. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

A drone was used to search for the shark. Picture: Julie Cross

Members of The Skinny Dippers swimming club, who do the same swim at 9.30am, said they saw a 2m shark yesterday and decided to swim back.

Skinny Dippers member Paul Hardcastle, of Forestville, said that group swam later because “the sun is a lot higher in the sky and it is safer”.

A Primary Industries department spokesman reiterated on Tuesday warnings for ocean swimmers to avoid going out in the dark, or in rough or turbid conditions.

Both Manly and Shelly beaches remained closed for the rest of the day after the incident.

A Westpac Lifesaver rescue drone, owned by Surf Life Saving NSW, was used to scan the ocean for the shark, while two council jet skis also combed the area but there was no further sighting.