A shark fatally mauled a man in his 50s at a beach in Sydney, Australia, and area beaches were closed on Saturday as drones searched for the predator, authorities said.

Emergency crews were dispatched to Long Reef Beach shortly after 10 a.m. local time Saturday, responding to reports that a man had suffered critical injuries.

The man, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was retrieved from the surf and brought to shore but died at the scene.

Two sections of a surfboard have been recovered and taken for examination.

Police have closed the beach and are liaising with wildlife experts to determine the species of shark involved.

"We understand he leaves behind a wife and a young daughter. And obviously tomorrow being Father's Day is particularly critical, particularly tragic," said New South Wales Police Superintendent John Duncan.

Nearby beaches have been closed pending further advice.

Witnesses say the victim was brought ashore by two fellow surfers and that distraught family members rushed to the scene.

Surf Life Saving NSW has deployed a drone to search for further shark activity.

The attack is thought to be the first in the state of New South Wales this year.

The last time a person was killed by a shark in Sydney was in February 2022.

That was the city's first fatal shark attack since 1963.

Shark nets were installed at 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong on Monday as part of a seasonal program.