The man was bitten by a broadnose sevengill shark. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
When spearfishing, usually you are the predator. Other times, you are the prey, as one diver off the coast of Tasmania found out last week.
Tasmanian police received a report at around 9:00 a.m. Friday morning of a man who had been bitten by a shark off the coast of Bruny Island. “The man was diving with two other people at a depth of eight meters and approximately 50 meters offshore from Coal Point, Adventure Bay, when he was bitten by what is believed to be a two-meter-long broadnose sevengill shark,” explained Inspector Darren Latham. “The man was able to return to shore and was assisted by fellow divers, who contacted emergency services.”
Witnesses told ABC News that the man had just speared a fish and was retrieving his quarry when he was bitten.
Human encounters with broadnose sharks are unusual, but not unheard of. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have only been two unprovoked attacks on humans by sevengill sharks in the past 100 years. “While this appears to be an isolated incident, we are reminding anyone planning to swim or dive in the area to remain vigilant, follow local safety advice and be aware of their surroundings,” added Latham.
Though this incident occurred in isolation, there have been previous encounters between spearfishermen and sharks, especially in Australia. In May, a 39-year-old man was spearfishing with three others in northern Queensland when he was killed by a “critical head injury” caused by a suspected bull shark. Just a few weeks before, Steven Mattaboni was spearfishing with three friends about a half-mile off the coast of Perth when he was fatally bitten in the lower leg by a suspected great white.
Closer to home, a Florida man fought off three bull sharks while spearfishing in Destin, a feat he managed to catch on camera.
