Experts warn there is little evidence shark culls keep ocean-goers safer following the latest shocking encounter at a busy city beach.

A coastal community have been left shaken after a woman, understood to be in her 30s, was critically injured by a shark at Sydney’s popular Coogee Beach on Saturday.

A great white shark, which is a protected species, is thought to have been responsible.

It follows a cluster of attacks nationwide, including several bull shark bites in Sydney Harbour.

The latest incident has reignited calls for culls to protect swimmers, which NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has not expressly ruled out.

Adelaide University program director of environmental science Brianna Le Brusque said harmful encounters with the predators were tragic and cull discussions an understandable response.

But she said there was no science on how many animals would need to be removed to keep swimmers safe nor evidence it would meaningfully improve community safety.

Surveillance methods to alert swimmers were more effective, though complicated by a flight path keeping drones out of the air around Coogee.

There were other detection options, Dr Le Brusque told AAP, including employing spotters from vantage points.

Federal Labor MP for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlewaite, said aviation safety was paramount but backed an exploration of drones flying at low altitudes.

He was not in favour of shark culls.

Shark nets, another method of separating humans from marine predators, are set to be installed at the start of September though the NSW government is seeking expert advice from the Department of Primary Industries.

Vice Chancellor Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University and expert on sport and the environment, Rebecca Olive, said there was more than one type of shark net, with some fully-enclosed and others free-floating.

Seasonal mesh nets that do not reach to the seabed have few supporters, she told AAP.

“Whales, dolphins, turtles, rays and birds all get caught in them, and they stop nothing.”

Shark encounters always caused “great pain” for individuals and family involved, Dr Oliver said, as well as communities.

“These are really difficult issues, and the people who are involved are people who love oceans.”

NSW independent MP Rod Roberts has been backing shark removals in the interests of community safety, with NSW opposition leader Kellie Sloane supporting a review of all mitigation measures, including culls.

“We need to put humans ahead of sharks and nothing should be off the table,” Ms Sloane said.

All of Sydney’s eastern suburbs beaches were closed on Sunday, with Coogee Surf Life Saving Club hosting a community gathering on Monday evening.

-with AAP