Experts say great white shark likely killed Australian surfer

FILE PHOTO: This undated image provided by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries shows a great white shark. - Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries via AP

SYDNEY: Australian biologists said Sunday (Sept 7) a great white shark measuring up to 3.6 metres likely killed a 57-year-old surfer off Sydney this weekend, as authorities stepped up surveillance for the predators.

The experienced surfer, identified by Australian media as Mercury Psillakis, was mauled to death by a shark on Saturday off a popular beach in northern Sydney, police and rescuers say, leading to a string of beach closures.