A former boxer who fought off a great white shark in waters off northern NSW has been transferred to Gold Coast Hospital, as beaches in the area remain closed.

Craig Ison, 52, underwent surgery for injuries to his left leg and arm at Lismore Base Hospital on Friday, but was flown to Gold Coast Hospital at 9.30 this morning.

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A spokeswoman for the regional Lismore Hospital said Mr Ison had been sedated following surgery and his condition was unchanged, but doctors decided to move him to the larger hospital.

All three beaches in Evans Heads will remain closed for another 24 hours as waters are deemed too dangerous for swimmers.

Surf Life Saving NSW closed the beaches on Friday after Mr Ison was knocked off his board and mauled by the shark during his regular morning surf.

The Evans Head local punched the shark many times when it attacked him from behind, biting his leg.

“It was like watching a Mick Fanning replay,” Mr Ison’s friend Geoff Hill told the Northern Star newspaper.

Richmond Valley Council mayor Ernie Bennett said he was shocked by Friday’s attack.

“I am absolutely concerned, this is the first attack here but there have been many nearby,” he said. “There’s too much danger out there.”

He said the council was taking precautions by putting signs up on all the beaches to make sure people were aware of what was out there.

“That won’t stop all the surfers from going out there. They know the risk and I guess it’s their choice,” he said.

After studying images of Mr Ison’s punctured surf board, with a large bite mark on the side, a shark expert from the Department of Primary Industries confirmed it was a great white.

Locals say it’s usual to see bull sharks but not great whites so close to shore.

The region is becoming notorious for shark attacks.

Last month, 32-year-old bodyboarder Matthew Lee was mauled by a shark at Ballina’s Lighthouse Beach, sustaining serious injuries to his lower legs.

In February, a large great white shark tore the legs off 41-year-old surfer Tadashi Nakahara in a fatal attack at the neighbouring Shelly Beach.

Mr Bennett said Ballina Council and Richmond Valley Council were holding talks with local MPs about funding aerial surveillance of beaches in the region.

“It’s a worry, and we just need to keep on top of it and at least close the beach when we see there’s a danger.”