Swimmers and surfers were warned today to steer clear of beaches in parts of eastern Australia after four shark attacks in the space of 48 hours.

A surfer had minor injuries from being bitten by a shark Tuesday in the fourth attack off the coast of Australia's most populous state in three days. The shark attacked the man's surfboard at Point Plomer, 460 kilometers north of the New South Wales state capital, around 9 a.m., officials…

Many of the closed beaches were in Sydney, the site of three of the attacks.

The incident follows three more shark attacks in Sydney over the past two days, prompting authorities to keep all beaches in the city’s northern areas closed until further notice

New South Wales state recorded four shark attacks in two days.

Australian authorities are warning people to stay out of New South Wales coastal waters after four shark attacks occurred in three days.

Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A surfer was bitten by a shark in waters off Sydney on Monday evening, the second person to suffer critical injuries in a shark attack near the Australia's largest city in little more than 24 hours.

Heavy rains stirring up murky waters have been blamed for the unusual spate of attacks.

"Just go to a local pool...we’re advising that the beaches are unsafe.”

New South Wales authorities have advised people to avoid beaches and use pools after four shark attacks in 48 hours.