A bodyboarder has been attacked by a shark off the coast of Mandurah on Sunday morning.
The man, believed to be in his 20s, was bodyboarding at a break off Pyramids Beach at around 8.50am when he was attacked.
He was bitten on the calf, and was able to free himself before getting help from surf life savers.
St John Ambulance officers have attended the scene, and confirmed he sustained injuries to his lower leg.
WA Police said his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
He was flown to Royal Perth Hospital by the RAC Helicopter and landed just after 10.30am.
Damian Baker, a father of a junior surf competitor, was watching from the shore and witnessed the attack at the well-known bodyboarding spot at the western end of the Dawesville Cut.
Mr Baker said there were two surfers in the water at the time when a big school of salmon swam by them.
“They had come in after seeing the school of salmon and were in chest deep water, resting on their boards watching the salmon school,” he said.
“The shark alarm went off and I raced there with a couple of guys, the surf lifesavers were already there.
“He had been attacked on the lower part of the leg, with a couple of meaty bites.”
Mr Baker said the Mandurah Boardriders junior surf competition, which had started at 7am, was shut down immediately and everyone was out of the water.
“We couldn’t be any safer, unfortunately it’s apart of the sport and credit goes to the surf life savers and the shark alarm because everyone was out of the water swiftly and there was no panic,” he said.
“There have been a lot of sightings lately, and you are mindful, but we cover all contingency plans.”
Mr Baker, an experienced surfer, said he believed the shark was likely a bronze whaler.
Mandurah Board Riders Club president Brian Williams confirmed the planned opener for the club's Junior Summer Series was cancelled in the aftermath of the attack.
Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club was also holding a nippers event about 100 metres from where the attack happened.
Beaches in the surrounding areas have also been closed, but some bodyboarders have ignored the warning from the Department of Fisheries and went back into the water.
The department said it would investigate the incident and attempt to identify what species of shark attacked the man.
"Water Police are conducting sea patrols of the area and Fisheries officers are on site monitoring the situation," a statement said.
"The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are working with local authorities to co-ordinate responses."
Patrols are ongoing but the shark has not been located.
