A body boarder has suffered leg, back and stomach injuries after he was attacked by a shark on NSW’s mid north coast.

The 38-year-old was body boarding with a friend at Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie, when attacked about 5pm on Saturday by what is believed was a shark.

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He was taken to Port Macquarie Hospital where he will remain for the night.

Earlier reports suggested the man had suffered life-threatening injuries but a Port Macquarie Hospital spokeswoman said on Saturday evening his condition was stable.

A Surf Life Saving NSW spokeswoman says signs have been erected to keep people off beaches in the area, which have been closed for 24 hours.

“The thoughts of the local surf lifesaving community are with his family and friends at this time,” Donna Wishart from SLSNSW said in a statement.

The Department of Primary Industries has sent investigators in to identify the species of the shark from the bite pattern on the body boarder’s wounds and forensic examination.