Port Stephens surfer bitten by what he described as a shark

A man has been bitten on the foot by what he described to be a shark on Saturday morning in Port Stephens.

The 31-year-old man was surfing at Birubi Beach, Anna Bay about 9.30am when he was bitten.

Birubi Beach in Port Stephens where a man was bitten on the foot by what he described to be a shark on Saturday morning. 

He was able to swim to shore and contact emergency services.

He was then treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor wounds to his foot, and taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle as a precaution.

A spokesman from the Hunter New England Local Health District said the man was still in hospital, in a stable condition.

ABC Newcastle reported the injured man said he had "felt better" after the incident.

Lifeguards at Birubi Beach closed the beach as a precaution and officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command were working with officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to investigate what took place.