There are calls for increased drone patrols on the NSW far north coast in the wake of a second shark-bite incident in six weeks.

Beaches near Cabarita reopened on Tuesday morning after a surfer had a frighteningly close encounter with a 4-5 metre shark on Monday.

Although the shark took a huge bite out of his board and snapped it in half, the surfer was otherwise unhurt. Loading...

A preliminary assessment of photos by Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development shark biologists suggests the damage to the surfboard was most likely caused by a great white shark.

Soon after the incident, a 4-5m white shark was caught on a smart drumline near Norries Head at Cabarita.

It dragged the line about 1.5km east of the headland and was able to get free of the hook before it was br

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