[ad_1] We just received an update from the state regarding yesterday’s Maui shark attack, which occurred late on Saturday afternoon in Paia Bay on Maui’s north shore. The visitor involved was a 51-year-old woman visiting from France. It was reported that the ocean visibility was low, with murky conditions. The snorkeler was believed to have
[ad_1]
We just received an update from the state regarding yesterday’s Maui shark attack, which occurred late on Saturday afternoon in Paia Bay on Maui’s north shore.
The visitor involved was a 51-year-old woman visiting from France. It was reported that the ocean visibility was low, with murky conditions. The snorkeler was believed to have been about 100 feet offshore when she was attacked. The woman hasn’t yet been identified by name or interviewed by authorities. DLNR said that her bite was “serious.”
Typically when a shark attack occurs, the warning signs are removed at about 24 hours. Today, however, the state’s DLNR decided to leave several of the beach parks, from Taveres Bay to Baldwin Beach, closed until Monday morning.
The incident occurred at Paia Beach Park.
It is not at all likely you will experience a shark attack in Hawaii. Statistically, odds are 1 in 11.5 million. Having said that, obviously shark attacks aren’t unheard of, and sights are far more frequent.
With almost 40 kinds of sharks here in Hawaii, those you are most likely to see are of the reef, sandbar, hammerhead, or tiger varieties.
UH Manoa, tracks tiger sharks in Hawaii and follows their movement via satellite tags on their dorsal fins. You can find the latest sightings using that link. It is fascinating. This is an ongoing project of the UH biologists that’s been in process for the past five years and serves to better understand the habitat and behavior of the tiger sharks.
Sharks are apex predators, and nearly a third are either threatened or nearly so. They have a vital role in maintaining the health of species in the food chain and are a further indication of our ocean health. They serve to remove sick and weak and balance competitors needed for healthy ocean diversity.
Sharks have long been considered aumakua, or family guardians, and reincarnated souls who are protectors.
Have you ever seen a shark when snorkeling? Neither of us has, although we have seen them when swimming, and that’s frightening enough.
1. Look for safety. That could be heading towards places that sharks avoid such as coral, or it might mean heading to the shallowest water possible. That is if getting out entirely isn’t possible.
2. Remain calm in motion. Avoid appearing to be in distress (don’t splash!) as this can agitate a shark. Much harder to do than to say, as editor Jeff virtually freaked out when a fast-moving green sea turtle swam right towards his face. If it had been a shark, all bets are off.
3. If you are being attacked, literally, you can try to attack back towards the shark’s face. Hopefully, not needed.
4. Sharks are attracted to fishing activity, or can be found near seals and dolphins, so avoid being near those yourself.
5. Don’t snorkel alone. Many of you said that in our recent article on snorkeling deaths.
6. Avoid murky ocean conditions. This can be caused by a variety of conditions but is a sign that snorkeling won’t be good, and danger can be increased.
7. Late in the afternoon may be riskier. Such was the case in point here.
[embedded content]
Disclosure: We receive a small commission on purchases from some of the links on Beat of Hawaii. These links cost you nothing and provide income necessary to offer our website to you. Mahalo! Privacy Policy and Disclosures.
[ad_2]
Source link
){kind=link}
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.