Zach Young was body boarding with friends at the popular tourist haven of Coffs Harbor, several hundred kilometers north of Sydney on the New South Wales coast on the last day of November when witnesses claim the 19-year old was bitten below the torso.
With the aid of friends Young managed to get to shore but could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local police say he had suffered significant injuries to his lower legs. Patrols of the area were carried out by NSW Police Marine Area Command and other agencies one hour after the accident when it was called off due to poor weather conditions.
Local authorities have ordered the 24-hour closure of all beaches within the area.
The attack comes in the wake of another fatal shark attack in Western Australia (WA) in November.
A 35-year old man was surfing at Gracetown in southern WA when a shark, believed to be a great white, leapt from the water across another surfers board and fatally attacked the experienced surfer.
This latest death has renewed a national debate about surrounding shark attacks from the efficacy and safety of netting beaches, to search and destroy powers residing in state governments.
(U.C003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
