Paradise Cove in Malibu, the site of a recent shark attack. Photo: ParadiseCoveMalibu.com
On Sunday morning, a kayak fisherman off the coast of Malibu was bitten by a shark. According to reports, the man was fishing at Paradise Cove when he hooked the predator. As he reeled the shark in to set it free, it bit him. Then, after it was off the line it turned back on him and bit him one more time.
“The shark bit him,” lifeguard Alex Buford said. “He let the shark go and then the shark came back and knocked him off the boat and attacked him again and bit his leg again.”
Luckily, a fishing boat that was in the vicinity was able to help the victim to safety. Although it hasn’t been confirmed by officials as of this writing, the shark involved is believed to have been a shortfin mako.
“Mako sharks typically stay in deeper water, so I don’t think there’s too much concern for shallow water swimming or anything,” Buford said. “That’s why we haven’t closed down (the beach).”
The extent of the victim’s injuries are unknown, but the manager of Paradise Cove Beach Cafe told KTLA that he witnessed the victim being helped to an ambulance with two visible bite marks on his leg.
