A SURFER has been mauled by a shark in a tourist hotspot that has developed a reputation for attacks carried out by the predators.

Matthew Bender had to go under the knife after his arm was left savaged. 

He was in the water at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on Sunday when the predator struck, as reported by the Fox affiliate WOFL-TV.

Lifeguards sprang into action and fellow surfers used a leash to act as a tourniquet. 

Speaking from his hospital bed, Bender recalled the horror.

“I felt it clamp down like a bear trap out of nowhere,” he told the outlet.

“I never saw the shark, but it bit really forcefully. It felt like electricity.”

He revealed he was squeezing the area left mangled by the shark bite.

Bender had to undergo surgery but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

But, doctors had to repair nerves and tendons.

Bender faces a period of time off his surfboard but hasn’t been deterred by the attack.

“For some reason, I got to take a little break, but I’ll be back out there,” he vowed.

It’s not known what species of shark attacked Bender.

Blacktip and spinner sharks stalk the waters off the coastline.

Blacktip sharks have distinctive dorsal and tail fins and the species tends to live in waters off beaches.

Spinner sharks are known for their jumping characteristics and leap out of the water.

Bender may have been attacked by a bull shark.

Bull sharks are responsible for the majority of shark attacks, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

New Smyrna Beach, located around 60 miles from Orlando, is known as the shark bite capital of the world.

Since the 1880s, there have been more than 300 shark attacks along the stretch of coastline.

More recently, there have been up to 10 attacks at New Smyrna Beach per year.

Experts have revealed why so many shark attacks are reported in New Smyrna Beach.

Evolutionary biologist Gavin Naylor revealed the water is rich with nutrients.

He told USA Today that the nutrients attracts different fish species, and explained this means their predators will subsequently follow.

“Water comes in and out with the tide, and it brings a lot of nutrients.

“As it curves down, it mixes with the other current, and there is a really great surf break.”

Last year, there were at least 36 shark attacks in the US.

Florida saw the most at 19, according to the website Tracking Sharks.

Five were reported in Texas and three were reported in Hawaii.