A person has been attacked by a shark near Motueka at Kina Beach on Tasman Bay. Police are clearing swimmers from Kina and several adjacent beaches.

The swimmer suffered deep wounds to his torso and possibly has internal injuries. He has been taken to Nelson Hospital by helicopter.

People are being asked to stay out of the water in the area for the rest of the day. Police do not know exactly where the shark is or what breed it is. A DOC expert says sharks are known to frequent Tasman Bay in large numbers at this time of the year.