A water photographer is in hospital with bite wounds after an apparent seal attack at the New Zealand Pro World Surf League event.

Australian Ed Sloane had puncture wounds to an ankle and had a flipper ripped off in the attack.

Organisers suspect a seal, rather than a shark, attacked Sloane.

The wounds were minor and Sloane was in good spirits.

A code red was called immediately after the attack and the men’s semifinal between Brazilians Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira was put on hold.

The incident comes 11 years after Australian great Mick Fanning fought off a shark in his final at the South African J-Bay Pro.

“It was our beloved water photographer, Ed. Thank God, he’s in good spirits, he’s well considering what happened, minor, small puncture wounds,” WSL commissioner Renato Hickel said.

“He’s already in an ambulance, on his way to hospital.

“We’re not certain if it was a shark or a sea lion [sic]. The doctor who is helping here on the scene is inclined to think it was a sea lion … nevertheless, very scary.

“Italo and Yoga obviously are shaken. They saw the splash and the incident and so another reason to put the event on hold.”

The competition was set to resume at 1:05pm local time (11am AEST).

Dora led Ferreira by 6.33 to 3.00 when their semifinal was stopped, less than 15 minutes into the 35-minute heat.

Earlier on Monday, Australian Morgan Cibilic made the final with a win over American Griffin Colapinto.

The women’s final will feature Hawaiian Carissa Moore against American Sawyer Lindblad.

AAP