Man in critical condition after shark attack at Port Noarlunga beach south of Adelaide

A man is in a critical condition after he was attacked by a shark off an Adelaide beach, with fears the algal bloom is moving the ocean predators closer to swimming spots.

A man has been rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being attacked by a shark at a southern beach.

Emergency services were called to Port Noarlunga beach just before 10am to an incident unfolding near the jetty.

Police have confirmed a man was helped from the water and treated at the scene by paramedics and MedSTAR before he was taken to Flinders Medical Centre in a serious condition.

The man, aged in his 60s, has injuries to his thigh.

He is now in a critical but stable condition.

The man was rushed to hospital after he was attacked by a shark about 10am on Thursday. Picture: Jeff Anderson/First on Scene Media

He was taken to Flinders Medical Centre in a serious condition. Picture: Jeff Anderson/First on Scene Media

An open-water diver said the attack happened between the shore and the popular Port Noarlunga Reef.

“When we surfaced we saw the emergency vehicles here, we were told to come in,” he told 7NEWS.

“A couple had gone out and the woman had come back in, had heard her partner screaming, and as far as I know, either she went back out to help him or the surf lifesaving club came out.

“They haven’t really identified what type of shark it is.”

Shark Watch SA founder Anton Covino, at the scene on Thursday, said the massive algal bloom blamed for killing vast numbers of sea creatures in recent weeks could be moving sharks to locations where they were rarely seen – and closer to humans swimming.

“There’s not enough being done at this point in time to protect the public from sharks,” he said.

“I believe there are more solutions that need to be in place, and it definitely starts with better public correspondence.”

Port Noarlunga Surf Lifesaving Club member Warwick Armstrong said he rushed to the scene to see if he could do anything to help.

“I would have spent more time as a competitive lifesaver in the water than most people locally, and I’ve only ever seen one shark in the water in 40 years,” he said.

“It’s always been a pretty protected area.”

Emergency services at Port Noarlunga beach after a man was attacked by a shark near the jetty. Picture: Jeff Anderson/First on Scene Media

The man, aged in his 60s, suffered injuries to his thigh in the attack. Picture: Darren Chaitman

Seaford man Mathew Gaghan, who was at the beach fishing, said he saw the man swimming for 10 to 15 minutes near another swimmer in the moments before the attack.

The next time he checked, he saw “all the commotion” of ambulances, police and fire services.

Swimmers have been evacuated from the water.

In 2023, a 32-year-old woman was mauled in the head and face by a shark near Port Noarlunga jetty, a popular spot for diving, fishing and swimming.

Originally published as Man in critical condition after shark attack at Port Noarlunga beach south of Adelaide