Shark attacks surfer at popular Gracetown surf break
A Brazilian surfer has been attacked by a shark at Cobblestones surf break in Gracetown in the WA's South West.
It's understood the man was surfing at the break about 270 kilometres south of Perth just after 8am on Monday morning when he was knocked from his board.
He received injuries to both of his legs during the attack, and fellow surfers helped him to shore and administered emergency first aid.
St John Ambulance have confirmed the victim is a male surfer in his 30s.
It's understood the man was a Brazilian tourist on a working visa.
He has sustained serious injuries on both legs, but is conscious and breathing.
The RAC Rescue Helicopter is flying the injured man to Royal Perth Hospital.
Sam Patton, who works at Gracetown's general store, said they heard several ambulances driving past.
Cobblestones surf spot has now been closed by Surf Life Savers, after two shark sightings were reported following the attack.
A member of the public reported a shark of an unknown species off Cobblestones just moments after the attack, and the Surf Life Saving Westpac helicopter reported a four-metre shark just after 10am near the Lefthanders surf spot.
It's understood the sharks could be in the area due to a whale carcass reported by fisheries.
North Point, Big Rock and Left Handers have also been closed, and fisheries have advised beachgoers to take additional caution in the Gracetown area.
Dozens of pro surfers are in WA's South West region to take part in the Margaret River Pro, which is part of the World Surf League Tour.
A spokeswoman for the event said the surf contest was under way at Margaret River's main break at the time of the attack.
The contest was initially put on hold with organisers saying the "safety of our surfers and staff is a top priority".
At 10am, the WSL said the competition would resume as normal.
"After discussing with local authorities, the Water Safety Team and surfers, the WSL Commissioner's Office has decided to resume competition for the Margaret River Pro at Main Break at 10:40am, following a one-hour hold prompted by reports of a shark incident at Gracetown - approximately 15 kms away from the event site," a spokeswoman said.
"Surfer and Staff safety are top priorities for the WSL and when competition resumes, further enhanced safety measures, including ski and drone presence, will be added to the event's mitigation protocols.
"We look forward to a great completion of the event."
Surf breaks around Gracetown have been notorious with several fatal shark attacks in the past 10 years.
In 2013 surfer Chris Boyd, 35, was killed by a shark at Left Handers surf break .
Surfer Brad Smith, 29, died in a shark attack in 2004 at the same surf break.
Father of two Nicholas Edwards died after being attacked by a large shark at South Point break near Gracetown in 2010.