American Diver Killed in Shark Attack near Rottnest Island

I just came across this story about an American diver that was apparently killed by a shark.

Has anyone heard any of the details about this attack? I would be interested in knowing the full story, not just diver killed by shark, authorities to kill shark.

Happened at Rottnest Isl. About 16 km offshore from Perth. Lots of dive spots around the island.

Viss was reported to be bad.

There was another shark attack 2 weeks ago off the main beach in Perth. Someone was taken by a white (again bad viss, approx 400m from beach).

During Spt-Nov there are a lot of sharks around as they follow the whales down the coast.

There have been 3 deaths in the last 2 months near Perth

It is a tragedy that this happened or happens to anyone for that matter, but I wish the news media would stop calling these sharks 'man-eaters'. It just spreads disinformation regarding sharks.

Steve

Real tragedy,

Believe the guy was spearfishing, WA fisheries are planning a shark cull which I really don't think is the solution.

There is a petition here

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/stop-the-shark-cull/

I figured it'd be something like that. I've only heard of one instance where a C. Carcharias attacked a diver without having food in the mix.

Yeah, I don't think a shark cull will do anything helpful. The only time I've ever had any trouble w/ sharks is when I've been spearfishing...bad vis is a ""no spearfish" day for me.

A very sad case but as with the previous accidents involving white sharks in Australia there has been a call from the uninformed to catch and kill any shark found in the area. This is not the solution and it would be good if the press were to give more details and explain why the attacks happened rather than just call for all man-eaters to be culled!

Hmmm why is it that facts like he was spearfishing omitted from reporting? Is it intentional ignorance or just ignorance in general?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15421438

I figured it'd be something like that. I've only heard of one instance where a C. Carcharias attacked a diver without having food in the mix.

There was a death in Byron Bay, East Coast Australia in 1993 where a SCUBA diver was taken as he was surfacing near the boat after a routine recreational dive.

It doesn't matter if there was food in the water or not, the shark is not to blame. Every diver takes a risk when diving, in this case the diver knew there were Great Whites on those waters. It is absolutely normal for a Great White to attack a diver, their natural prey is marine mammals, we are close enough, and actually I am surprised there aren't many more attacks. Culling is just wrong. The only instance where a shark attack would be considered "abnormal" is if the shark jumped out of the water to grab people on the beach.

It doesn't matter if there was food in the water or not, the shark is not to blame. Every diver takes a risk when diving, in this case the diver knew there were Great Whites on those waters. It is absolutely normal for a Great White to attack a diver, their natural prey is marine mammals, we are close enough, and actually I am surprised there aren't many more attacks. Culling is just wrong. The only instance where a shark attack would be considered "abnormal" is if the shark jumped out of the water to grab people on the beach.

Agreed. The backlash against the kill order is being reported in the media here now. Hopefully someone in charge will come to their senses in the near future.

Luiz, I agree but the chances of an encounter increases much more when food is involved.

Humans do have very warped risk assessment, with emotions probably skewing it out of wack. Risk acceptance goes against territorial claims. People want to swim in the beach without risk of getting bitten by shark or seals. If they could get rid of jellyfish, they would! Basically they want a big swimming pool called the ocean. However irrational that is, that's what the businesses want to sell and people want to buy.I hope it's the government's way of pretending they are doing something.

There is a major debate on this topic on WA Divers with all the red necks wanting all GWS culled - http://www.wadivers.com.au/forums/viewtopi...?f=1&t=6938

And another post with the same who are up in arms about sanctuary zones - http://www.wadivers.com.au/forums/viewtopi...?f=8&t=6925

I feel for the diver concerned and his family with condolences to all but killing the shark concerned is not practicle or feasible. A knee jerk reaction by a few misinformed people with the histeria beaten up by the media.

A sad day for humanity when a few misguided fools raise their voices and speak as if they are experts

Karl

I've started a write in campaign for those interested in letting the right people know what they are doing is wrong:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43619

Makes a complete farce of Australia fisheries policy too.