Surfer in shark attack terror

A shark attacked a surfer off a California beach, biting him in the neck and arm.

Eric Tarantino, of Monterey, was attacked at around 7am, minutes after he and a friend entered the water at Marina State Beach, The Monterey Herald said.

The shark bit Mr Tarantino, 27, on the neck and right forearm and left teeth marks in his red surfboard.

Mr Tarantino's friend Brandon McKibben, of Salinas, helped him out of the water and other surfers used beach towels to staunch the bleeding.

Mr Tarantino was taken to a local airport by paramedics and flown to the San Jose Regional Medical Centre.

Dana Jones, Monterey sector superintendent for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

Ms Jones said signs would be posted along the area's beaches advising of the shark danger and recommending that beachgoers do not go into the water for the next week.

She said the waters would be monitored in the coming days for additional shark activity.