INJURED – 24 June 2007 – New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US – surfer attacked

Justin Lewis, 20, was surfing Sunday 24 June 2007 after 5.30pm near the south jetty at New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Florida, US when a shark bit his right hand, leaving 6 to 8 puncture wounds.

Lewis told Volusia County Beach Patrol the shark was about 4 feet long.

Lewis was treated at a hospital and was expected to be OK.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
Central Florida News 13

SHOCKED -- 24 June 2007 -- Silva's, Mokuleia, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii -- surfer attacked

An unnamed surfer was attacked by a shark while surfing at Silva's, Mokuleia, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii around 7am Sunday, 24 June 2007.

The surfer was uninjured in the attack, but the shark, presumed to be a 6 foot Tiger or Reef shark, to a bite out of his board.

A witness to the attack, George Rio, told media: "When he was paddling out, he felt something grab his board really hard and actually took him under the water. When it came up, it could have bit him, but he put the board towards the shark's mouth instead of going for him, it went for the board," said Rio. As for the victim's reaction, Rio said, "he seemed like he was still in a daze... in shock like he cannot believe that a shark bit his board and could have bitten him."

No other details were reported.

Source:
KGMB9

INJURED – 17 June 2007 – Vilano Beach, Florida, United States – surfer attacked

In rather sketchy media reports a nine-year-old girl was apparently attacked by a shark while surfing in the late afternoon on Sunday 17 June 2007.

Reports say the girl (name not released) was attacked around 4.30pm while surfing at Vilano Beach, St Augustine, Florida, US. No details of where she was bitten or how bad the wound was were reported.

One report said she managed to walk to her home nearby before being taken to Flagler Hospital by St. Johns County Fire Rescue.

A report on 19 June in the St Augustine Record says authorities were unsure if it was a shark that bit the girl and say the wound may have been caused by the fin of her surfboard.

“While the shape of the wound could have been made by a shark bite, other expected signs aren't present,” the newspaper reported.

Sources:
St Augustine Record

INJURED – 26 May 2007 -- Garden City Beach, South Carolina, United States – wader attacked

A woman (name not released) was presumed bitten by a shark at Garden City Beach, South Carolina, United States around 5pm on Saturday 26 May 2007.

She was taken to Waccamaw Community Hospital for treatment of a leg injury, according to media reports.

Witnesses said they heard the woman scream. She was in thigh deep water. When she came out she had three gashes on the bottom half of her leg.

Captain Scott Gosnell of Garden City-Murrells Inlet Fire Department told media that as far as he knew “it was a shark bite to the leg”.

No other details were reported at the time of this blog.

Sources:
Island Packet
The Myrtle Beach Sun News

INJURED – 16 May 2007 -- Warra Beach, near Coral Bay, Western Australia – wader attacked

Early media reports say a woman, 39, (not named) was bitten on the back of her lower left leg by shark while walking in shallow water. She was holding her baby at the time of the attack which occurred around 2.45pm local time.

The attack occurred 16 May 2007 at Warra Beach, near Coral Bay in Western Australia, about a 1,000 km north of Perth.

Her husband was at the scene and drove her towards Coral Bay where they were met by an ambulance.

St John's Ambulance manager Danny Barron told media he was told that there was “significant damage to her calf muscle”.

The woman was first treated at a nursing post at Coral Bay and then taken to Carnarvon hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

No further details were reported at the time of this blog.

Sources:
Sydney Morning Herald
The West Australian

INJURED – 7 May 2007 -- Keawakapu Beach, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii – snorkeller attacked

A 63-year-old woman (name not released) was bitten on right her foot and calf while snorkelling about 30 metres offshore of Keawakapu Beach, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii.

The incident occurred about 8.30am on Monday, 7 May 2007. The size and type of shark was not immediately known, although an hour earlier, a surfer at Kamaole Beach Park II, about a three kilometres away, reported that a possible tiger shark bumped his friend's surfboard, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.

"Her right foot was slashed open - her complete foot on top from one end to the other longways," Amon Aquarian, who was at the scene of the attack, told media.

The woman was taken by ambulance to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Sources:
Honolulu Advertiser
Guardian
KGMB9

INJURED – 7 May 2007 – Naples Beach, Florida, US – swimmer attacked

Hans Pruss, a 68-year-old German tourist, was bitten on the left leg by an unidentified shark while swimming about 100 metres offshore of Naples Beach, Florida, USA.

The incident occurred around 8.30am Monday, 7 May 2007.

Pruss managed to swim back to shore where he noticed a large circular bite beginning above his left knee and extending to his mid-thigh.

According to media reports he walked 150 metres back to his hotel. Hotel staff called 911. He was taken to NCH Naples Downtown Hospital. Emergency workers said the wound was serious but not life threatening.

Bob Hueter, director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota told media that initial reports that the shark was a 6- to- 8-foot bull shark were doubtful. Bull shark bite wounds tend to be severe or fatal, he said.

He said other sharks in the area at this time of year that are known to have attacked humans included black tips, lemon sharks and hammerheads.

Sources
Naples News

INJURED – 26 April 2007 -- Mornington Island, Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia – swimmer attacked

A brief report in The Sydney Morning Herald and News.com.au says a 13-year-old girl -- Lorraine (second name not reported) -- was bitten by a shark while swimming with friends in waters off Mornington Island, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, on Thursday, 26 April 2007.

According to a witness she was jumping off a jetty with friends when the incident happened. One of the girls who saw the shark said it was small.

Police said the girl was airlifted to Townsville Hospital where she received treatment for injuries to her leg and foot.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
The Sydney Morning Herald
News.com.au

DESCRIBED – Update to 22 April 2007 Hutchinson island shark attack

Matthew Honyak, 12, described the shark attack that took place on Hutchinson island, 22 April 2007. He was bitten on his left ankle by what authorites assume was a small bull shark while body surfing with friends a short distance from the shore.

He described the attack to media.

He said he was still underwater when he saw a shark's mouth and then felt it clamp down on his ankle and yank back.

"I gave it a huge kick," Matthew said. "I was just so scared. I just kicked as hard as I could."

That kick stunned the shark, which let go, he said.

Another wave came and knocked Matthew to shore. He walked out onto the sand, blood gushing from his wound.

"I said, `I got bit by a shark. I got bit by a shark,'" he recalled.

"I was so shocked. I didn't feel any pain."

A lifeguard called paramedics, who took Matthew to the hospital where he received seven stitches to the wound.

Sources:
Sun Sentinel

INJURED – 22 April 2007 – Waveland Beach, Hutchinson Island, Florida, US – body boarder attacked

A 12-year-old boy (name not reported) was bitten on the foot while body boarding about 25 metres from shore at Waveland Beach, Hutchinson Island, Florida, US.

The incident happened at around 12.30pm on Sunday 22 April 2007.

A man who witnessed the attack told media he noticed a “chunk of meat” missing from the boy’s foot. He said the wound appeared to run from the boy’s ankle down to his toes.

Paramedics took the boy to Martin Memorial Health Center for treatment. There was no update on his condition at the time of this blog.

Sources:
TC Palm Local News

INJURED – 20 April 2007 – New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA – surfer attacked

Chad Guthrie, 24, was bitten on the left hand by a 4 to 5 foot bull shark while surfing Friday evening, 20 April 2007, at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA.

He was taken to Halifax Hospital in Daytona, where he spent 5 hours in surgery Friday night.

His grandmother told media the shark “ripped open his left hand and incurred serious injury to the thumb and first two fingers”.

According to media Guthrie said he planned to continue surfing once his wounds had healed.

Sources:

The News Press

INJURED – 1 April 2007 -- New Smyrna Beach, Florida, United States – swimmer attacked

Jack Lomedico, 10, was bitten on his calf while swimming near Flagler Avenue at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, United States. The attack took place on Sunday, 1 April 2007.

According to media he and his brother were only one metre into the water when the shark attacked. His father Tom Lomedico was able to grab him and pull him out of the water.

He was rushed to hospital where he received 60 stitches to the wound. He was expected to make a full recovery.

No other details were reported at the time of this blog.

Sources:
WFTV.com

UPDATE:
Jack Lomedico gives interview with WFTV

INJURED – 31 March 2007 – Hutchinson Island, St Lucie County, Florida, United States – surfer attacked

In the second of two attacks on the same island on the same day, an unnamed 30-year-old surfer was bitten on his right ankle by a shark.

He sustained 7-10 centimetre wounds in the attack which took place around 2.20pm at Normandy Beach, Hutchinson Island, St Lucie County, Florida, United States.

His injuries were serious enough to keep him at Martin Memorial Medical Center, but were not life-threatening.

A fisherman who witnessed the attack said the surfer was no more than 25 metres from the shore when his was bitten by the shark.

No other details were reported at the time of this blog.

Sources:
Palm Beach Post

INJURED – 31 March 2007 – Hutchinson Island, St Lucie County, Florida, United States – swimmer attacked

In the first of two attacks on the same island on the same day, a nine-year-old boy (unnamed) was attacked by a shark and bitten on the right buttock and thigh.

He sustained minor injuries in the attack which took place around 1.20pm on Saturday, 31 March 2007 at Waveland Park on Hutchinson Island, St Lucie County, Florida, United States.

He was treated and released at Martin Memorial Medical Center.

No other details were reported at the time of this blog.

Sources:
Palm Beach Post

INJURED – 20 March 2007 -- South Golden Beach, New South Wales, Australia – surfer attacked

Jodie Cooper, 42, was bitten on the left hand by a 5-foot shark while surfing at South Golden Beach, New South Wales, Australia on Tuesday 20 March 2007.

Cooper, a former number 2 on the pro surfing circuit, suffered lacerations and bone-deep cuts to her hand.

She told media about the attack: “I just went 'okay, I'm being attacked by a shark'."

She had just finished riding a wave and was paddling back to catch another one when the shark latched onto her left hand.

“It just came up from underneath me and just bit me - just like in the movies, it's pretty classic, except lucky it was small shark, a little five-foot thing," Cooper said.

“I didn't even see the thing the whole time, it just gave me a good old chomp on the hand and took a couple of knuckles."

“I'm not saying I'm this heroic bloody thing, I was shitting my pants, you know.

“It's one of those things in all honesty that we can laugh about now and I'm just laughing about it,” she said.

"It's just like I've been bitten by a big dog, just down to the bone on two knuckles, and then about 10 teeth lacerations up my hand," Cooper said.

"There doesn't appear to be any ligament damage ... and I can sort of wiggle my hand."

I'll give it a couple of days and then I'll go surfing for sure."

Sources:
Sydney Morning Herald

DESCRIBED -- The woman attacked at Moore Park beach tells her story

59-year-old Mary Jane Ryan was malled by a suspected 2-metre bull shark – details here.

She tells her story from her hospital bed...

I felt like I'd been hit by a truck... I knew it was something big and I knew I had to get out of there or I'd be dead. End of story."

Those were the words of Mary Jane Ryan yesterday as she lay in a bed in Queensland's Bundaberg Hospital reliving the terrifying shark attack which she believes could have claimed her life.

Sporting a massive bruise to her right hand and arm and a badly gouged leg, Ms Ryan, 59, gave a graphic account of the leisurely Monday afternoon swim at Moore Park beach, just north of Bundaberg, that ended in horror.

Escaping the sweltering 38C heat, Ms Ryan had been swimming alone in chest-deep calm water at low tide when the shark struck.

"All of a sudden, bam, and I knew it was a shark," she said.

"And I knew it had bit my leg and people say 'did you look around?' and it was like 'no, I just knew I had to get out of there'.

More here at NEWS.com.au…

INJURED – 12 March 2007 – Moore Park, Queensland, Australia – wader attacked

A very brief report on Australia’s ABC News Online says a woman (unnamed) was bitten on the foot by a shark at Moore Park, near Bundaberg in south-east Queensland at about 3.30pm local time on Monday 12 March 2007.

The woman managed to walk to a nearby kiosk and call for help. She was taken to Bundaberg Base Hospital for treatment for bruising and cuts to her foot.

No other details were reported.

Source: ABC News Online

INJURED – 11 March 2007 – Tiger Shores Beach, Hutchinson Island, Florida – surfer attacked

Adam McMichael suffered deep cuts on his right forearm after being attacked by a shark while surfing at Tiger Shores Beach, Hutchinson Island, Florida at around 1pm on Sunday 11 March, 2007.

According to a report in Florida’s Sun Sentinel several witnesses heard McMichael screaming for help. He managed to paddle back to shore where he was assisted by beachgoers before paramedics arrived.

Kaye Cross, on vacation in Florida, looked in McMichael's direction from her spot on the beach and could see "big, long deep slices" on his arm and "a trail of blood."

A resident of nearby Jensen Beach, Craig Price, told the newspaper that McMichael said he had “just felt a tug” and never saw the shark, which remains unidentified.

McMichael was taken to Martin Memorial Medical Center in Stuart for surgery to save tissue in his shoulder. He was reported in stable condition.

Sources: Sun Sentinel

INJURED – 4 March 2007?? – Penryn, Cook Islands – spearfisher attacked

A brief 5 March 2007 report on the Radio New Zealand International website says a 16-year-old boy, Turua William Maretapu , from the northern Cook Islands was bitten on the leg by a Tiger shark while spearfishing.

The report quotes the Cook Island Times as saying Turua was swimming over the reef into the lagoon at Penrhyn after spearfishing.

“He spotted the shark and fired at it.

“The shot missed and the shark bit his leg.”

The report did not mention the time or date of the attack.

According to the report others on the reef including his uncle who has First Aid knowledge helped him.

“Turua was rushed to hospital, where the doctor said the first aid probably stopped him bleeding to death.”

No other details were reported.

Source:
Radio New Zealand International

STATS -- Shark attacks up in 2006, but show long-term decline

Shark attacks edged up slightly in 2006 but continued an overall long-term decline as overfishing and more cautious swimmers helped take a bite out of the aggressive encounters, new University of Florida research finds.

The total number of shark attacks worldwide increased from 61 in 2005 to 62 in 2006 and the number of fatalities remained stable at four, far below the 79 attacks and 11 fatalities recorded in 2000, said George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File housed at UF’s Florida Museum of Natural History.

“This was a nice dull year and we love dull years because it means there are fewer serious attacks and fewer victims,” Burgess said. “It’s really quite remarkable when you have only four people a year die in the mouth of a shark and puts in perspective how small shark attack is as a phenomenon.”

Fewer sharks are swarming near the shore where humans swim as larger numbers of shark and other fish of prey are killed each year, Burgess said. At the same time, many Third World countries are making strides in improving medical care and beach safety, while many people are getting smarter about where and when to get into the water, he said.

“They’re starting to see that when they enter the sea, they’re engaging in a wilderness experience as opposed to entering the equivalent of a backyard pool,” he said.

As a result, the rate of attacks has actually declined over the years as human population has increased, he said.

The number of attacks in the United States, the world’s leader, dipped slightly from 40 in 2005 to 38 in 2006; well below the 53 recorded in 2000, he said.

As in past years, Florida was the world’s shark capital, with 23 attacks, Burgess said. This was slightly higher than the 19 cases reported in 2005 but considerably lower than the annual average of 33 between 2000 and 2003, he said.

Elsewhere in the world, Burgess tracked seven attacks in Australia, four in South Africa, three in Brazil, two in the Bahamas and one each in Fiji, Guam, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, La Reunion, Spain and Tonga.

The four fatalities were in Australia, Brazil, La Reunion and Tonga. The Australian victim was a woman swimming with her dog, and the attack may have been provoked by fishermen throwing bloodied fish in the ocean as they cleaned their catch. The Brazilian fatality was a male surfer in waters off the northeastern part of the country. The Tonga case involved a 24-year-old female swimmer who was an American Peace Corps volunteer. The attack off the Indian Ocean island of Reunion was on a 34-year-old male surfing in an area where swimming and other recreational activities are forbidden.

With globalization, not all people are taking precautions as they venture into remote corners of the world that once were sleepy villages with strictly native populations, he said.

“Some of these tourists bring their aquatic recreation to places known to be sharky without asking the natives about good and bad places,” Burgess said. “The natives may know that you don’t go into the water off a certain point because that’s where the big tiger shark is, and the French tourist who decides to go sailboarding there gets grabbed by the tiger shark.”

Surfers and windsurfers were the most frequent victims in 2006, accounting for 26 of the shark attacks, followed by swimmers and waders, 21, and divers and snorkelers, five.
Besides Florida’s 23 attacks, elsewhere in the United States attacks numbered four in South Carolina; three each in Hawaii and Oregon; two in California; and one each in New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas.

“Within Florida, Volusia County and particularly New Smyrna Beach is the hot spot,” he said.

“This area on a square mile basis has more attacks than anyplace else in the world.”

A nearby inlet draws many swimmers, surfers and sharks, which find all the splashing, kicking and other movements humans make in the water highly provocative, Burgess said.

Shark attacks in Volusia County increased from nine in 2005 to 12 in 2006. Numbers of attacks recorded in other Florida counties were three in Brevard, two each in Manatee and St. Lucie and one each in Collier, Monroe, Indian River and Palm Beach.

“Even though there are a large number of attacks in Volusia County and along the entire east coast of Florida, the injuries are seldom very serious and fatalities are highly unusual,” he said.

Sources: Science Daily