Beaches in northern NSW will remain closed after a Japanese surfer was killed in the the sixth shark fatality in Australian waters in 12 months.
A friend of the man, named in media reports as Tadashi Nakahara, was paddling out from Shelly Beach, near Ballina when he heard his mate's screams just before 10am on Monday.
It's believed a shark attacked Mr Nakahara, 41, from behind biting both his legs and his surfboard.
Mr Nakahara was rescued from the water but died on the beach.
Authorities are scouring nearby waters for the shark and Mr Nakahara's remains.
A shark expert is heading to the area and authorities have closed beaches between South Ballina and Lennox Head.
Monday's attack comes a day after another surfer was bitten by a shark at Seven Mile Beach, 25km north of Ballina.
