On September 6, 2025, 57-year-old surfer Mercury Psillakis was fatally attacked by a large shark about 100 meters offshore at Long Reef Beach in northern Sydney; authorities recovered his body, closed nearby beaches and launched aerial and water searches.
Key Takeaways
- Victim: Mercury Psillakis, 57, attacked while surfing at Long Reef Beach on Sept 6, 2025.
- Response: Emergency teams recovered the body and police, biologists and drone operators began an active search and investigation.
- Scene details: Attack occurred roughly 100 meters from shore; witnesses reported a large dorsal fin and a long tail.
- Public safety: Lifeguards and police closed the affected beach and warned locals to avoid the water.
- Investigation: Authorities are analyzing the victim’s injuries, board fragments and witness accounts to identify the species.
- Local context: Sydney has very few fatal shark incidents; seasonal shark-mitigation measures are in place across NSW beaches.
Verified Facts
Emergency services responded shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time following reports a surfer had suffered catastrophic injuries. Bystanders brought the man to shore, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified the deceased as Mercury Psillakis, a 57-year-old experienced surfer and member of the Northern Beaches community. Colleagues and friends attempted rescue efforts but were unable to save him. Psillakis is reported to have been a small-business seller of rare exotic plants and is survived by a wife and a young daughter.
Witnesses described seeing a large dorsal fin and a substantial tail in the water. One witness estimated the distance between dorsal and tail fins suggested a multi-meter animal, but that size estimate has not been confirmed by authorities or marine experts.
New South Wales Police and marine biologists are examining Psillakis’s injuries, fragments of his surfboard and other evidence collected at the scene to establish the likely species and sequence of events. Drone operators and other surveillance assets are scanning coastal waters near Long Reef Beach while the area remains closed to the public.
Context & Impact
Fatal shark attacks around Sydney are uncommon. Authorities noted this incident is an outlier and have described it as a rare or “freak” event. The state routinely deploys seasonal mitigation measures: shark nets and aerial patrols are active across many beaches during the warmer months.
Lifeguard services and police have increased visible patrols and are advising beachgoers to follow closures and safety notices. Local communities around the Northern Beaches have expressed shock; council and surf lifesaving groups are coordinating to offer support and information.
Emergency and environmental agencies say shark presence varies with weather, ocean conditions and prey availability. The NSW Department of Primary Industries maintains that sharks are present year-round but risk patterns change across seasons.
Immediate public-safety actions
- Long Reef Beach and nearby stretches temporarily closed to swimming and surfing.
- Aerial drone and vessel searches deployed to monitor shark activity.
- Police and marine scientists collecting physical evidence and witness statements.
“This appears to be a freak incident that happens very, very rarely,”
Northern Beaches Police Area Commander John Duncan
Unconfirmed
- The exact species of shark involved has not been confirmed by authorities.
- Witness estimates of the animal’s length (several meters) remain unverified.
- Any motive for the attack—such as water conditions, visibility, or prey presence—is under investigation.
Bottom Line
Authorities are treating the death of Mercury Psillakis as a rare, isolated fatality. Investigations by police and marine experts are ongoing; nearby beaches remain closed until searches and risk assessments conclude. Residents and visitors should follow official beach-safety guidance while agencies complete forensic and environmental inquiries.