CNN
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Two popular Sydney beaches were closed on Saturday, according to Surf Life Saving New South Wales.
Several surfing, Ironman and Ironwoman events have been canceled due to the closure.
The dolphin suffered a tail injury and was later euthanized, the organization said.
Lifeguards have closed down beaches in Manly and Shelly where hundreds of people have gathered for the Manly Open Classic, a community event that includes an Ironman competition scheduled to take place on Saturday.
“Surf lifesavers and lifeguards swept swimmers out of the water and the massive surf carnival was interrupted,” the organization wrote in a statement.
Drones operated by Surf Life Saving said they spotted dozens of sharks in the area.
Emily Peterson told CNN affiliate Channel Nine that she went into the water when she heard the dolphin was injured.
“[The dolphin’s] The fins were tattered and could be seen falling off, and there were bite marks on the sides of the body.”
Trent Golding, General Manager of Summer of Surf Show and Partners Manly Surf Open A video on Instagram apologized to attendees who showed up to Manly Beach early.
“There was massive shark activity in a nearby area … and the entire event had to be suspended … it was in the pattern, but unfortunately we are canceling the event today,” he said. I got
Golding added that organizers would refund entries and vowed to implement additional protocols to mitigate this type of risk, such as having backup locations at future events.
