Authorities are keeping a close watch on beaches along Australia's east coast, following a shark attack that killed a Japanese surfer Monday.

The beaches along the 15-kilometer stretch of the New South Wales north coast, will remain closed to tourists and locals as police continue its search for the killer shark.

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The shark, believed to be a Great White attacked 41-year-old Japanese surfer Tadashi Nakahara at the Shelly Beach, near the town of Ballina.  Nakahara was on his surfboard, waiting for a wave some 10 meters away from the shore, when the shark came up and bit his legs off. 

Fellow surfers rushed to get Nakahara out from the water to perform an emergency aid.  But massive blood loss led to the victim's death.

Ballina Mayor David Wright said, the search for the 4-meter killer shark had been suspended Monday night, but was resumed Tuesday Morning.

"The chances are they won't find the shark unless it comes back in of course ... but we'll monitor that during the day," Wright said.  "The beaches won't be open until we're sure the shark's gone."

Surf lifesaving emergency coordinator Dan Andrews said, there has been no sighting of the shark since Monday's attack.

"We've had all our assets on the water, jet skis, rubber duckies and jet boats and there's been no further confirmed sighting of the shark," Andrews said.  The waters had been calm and visibility has improved, signs Andrews said could bring up the chance of seeing the shark.

Nakahara had been staying at Shelly Beach for at least year.  He worked as a surfboard technician and a cleaner at a hotel.

Authorities say, the shark that attacked the Japanese surfer may have been the same shark that attacked another surfer at nearby Seven Mile Beach on Sunday.

So far, four shark attacks have been reported in Australia in the past five months. 

Tagsshark attack, Australia, killer shark