A surfing incident turned fatal when a 57-year-old man was attacked by a shark off Long Reef Beach in Sydney, Australia, on the morning of September 6, 2025. Mercury Psillakis was reportedly mauled by a great white shark, estimated to be between 11 and 12 feet long.
The attack occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time while Psillakis was surfing with friends roughly 328 feet from shore. Emergency services were called to the scene, but Psillakis was declared dead after being pulled from the water.
Witnesses reported that Psillakis noticed the shark and attempted to alert others. Toby Martin, a professional surfer and family friend, stated that Psillakis was trying to gather everyone for safety when the shark attacked him from behind, describing it as a worst-case scenario.
Police Inspector Stuart Thomson confirmed that Psillakis suffered the loss of multiple limbs during the attack. His surfboard, which was broken into two parts, was retrieved for examination. While his friends returned safely to shore, Psillakis’ body was discovered in the water shortly after the incident.
Mark Morgenthal, a witness, estimated the shark’s length to be around 20 feet based on the spacing between its fins. He recounted hearing cries from the water as the shark circled the area.
Biologists from the New South Wales government reviewed photos of the surfboard and concluded that an 11 to 12-foot white shark was likely involved. This attack is the first fatal shark incident in Sydney since February 2022, when Simon Nellist was killed near Little Bay.
Psillakis leaves behind a wife and young daughter, with the tragedy occurring just before Father’s Day in Australia. Thomson commented on the timing, saying, “with tomorrow being Father’s Day, it’s particularly tragic.”
His twin brother, Mike, who runs Psillakis Surfboards in Brookvale, shared a heartfelt tribute online, describing Mercury as his “mirror” and emphasizing their close bond. Mike remembered his brother for his passion and encouragement to express emotions openly.
The Long Reef Boardriders Club paid tribute to Psillakis, calling him the club’s favorite son and noting his impact on the community. They described him as passionate, caring, loyal, and universally loved.
Following the attack, state authorities placed two additional smart drumlines off Dee Why and Long Reef beaches. These devices, equipped with baited hooks, send alerts when sharks are caught and allow for tagging. Drones and jet ski patrols were also employed to monitor shark presence.
Beaches from Manly to Narrabeen were closed after the incident, with Long Reef and Dee Why beaches remaining shut through the weekend. The Department of Primary Industries detected a tagged white shark off Manly Beach on Monday, which was smaller than the one suspected in the attack on Saturday.
The incident led the New South Wales government to halt plans for a trial removal of shark nets from certain beaches. Premier Chris Minns stated that any decision would be made once investigators complete their report on the attack.
Psillakis was known as an experienced surfer on Sydney’s northern beaches. His brother Mike was at Long Reef Beach during a junior surf competition when the attack took place and quickly went to the scene.
The International Shark Attack File indicates that Australia saw a high number of fatal shark attacks in 2023 compared to other nations. The database records over 1,280 shark encounters in Australia since 1791, with more than 250 fatalities.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack as the surfing community mourns the loss of Psillakis. The incident underscores the inherent risks in Australian waters, where shark presence is influenced by factors such as weather, ocean conditions, and food availability.
