SHARK ATTACK Surfer had to fight off shark to rescue girl, punching the animal

Miami Herald ^ | 6/26/05 | MONICA HATCHER

[Eagle Eye]

But you gotta admit that sharks like tourists!

[dead]

It's just some shark out there swimming. I don't think any of those people are up to the task of going out and killing it, even if they wanted to.

[Tallguy]

The increasing frequency of shark attacks on humans is due to diminishing baitfish, in turn due to the growing world population.

Sharks have been congregating in large numbers around the Florida Peninsula for....who knows how long? I suspect it's more than food (or lack thereof) that attracts them to the shallows. There are enough protected waters near Florida where there is effectively no fishing. If it were strictly a matter of food, then the sharks would be found there in disproportionate numbers.

[ValerieUSA]

Florida town ping

[maxwellp]

I don't know about a book, but to me he tried to save the girl and in my book he's a hero. I can remember many, many years ago swimming at Rockaway Park in New York. There was always a lifeguard on duty and he watched for sharks also. When he sighted one, he signalled that we should all get out of the water.

[TheOtherOne]

I don't know about a book, but to me he tried to save the girl and in my book he's a hero. I can remember many, many years ago swimming at Rockaway Park in New York. There was always a lifeguard on duty and he watched for sharks also. When he sighted one, he signalled that we should all get out of the water.

I agree. My comment was less about this guy, and more about the 'cult of celebrity' we have. With the runaway bride, jackson jurors, etc. Heck, half the legal talking heads on TV got their start during the OJ trial.

[LongElegantLegs]

And...How exactly do you provoke a shark? Make snide comments about his mother?

[maxwellp]

Yes, I also understand about that "cult of celebrity" thing also. Regards.

[Gunrunner2]

>>What is the age when someone who loves to surf must hang it up????<,

Welll. . .I'd say when he drives a Corvette with the top down and gets laughed at.

[Gunrunner2]

>>The increasing frequency of shark attacks on humans is due to diminishing baitfish, in turn due to the growing world population.<<

Nah. . .can't you see. . .It's Bush's fault!

[Loud Mime]

You're right.....he acted without concern for his safety in the hopes of saving another; he risked his life. That is what a hero is......not some journalist who writes a story about panties on a prisoner's head.

[Tarpon]

I think that people come to Florida and forget that when they go out in the water it's not a pool. If the tourist agencies would educate people, there would likely be less contact.

I understand the teen boy that got bit today lost his leg. He was surf fishing, they didn't have much more to say. I wonder if he had a bloody fish dangling alongside his leg.

A lot of the problem is solved by education. When I am out in the salt I always keep a look out for shark, and where I am, barracuda -- which easily top five feet and can pack a nasty bite.

[G Larry]

Anybody remember what happened to us the last time shark attacks were in the headlines?????????

Hope we don't get another lesson on perspective like we did then!!!!!!!!

[rmlew]

Forget Great Whites. Bull sharks are the ones that give me nightmares ever since I came far too close to one in Shinecock bay, Long Island. ( I was getting back into a boat, having fallen over while fishing, when a bull "investigated." Damn thing was as big as the row boat. Still brings shivers. )

These suckers not only hunt in salt water, but prefer brakish water. They are just vicious.
In 1916, there were a series of shark attacks on the New Jersey shore, ending in a horrendous day, July 12th, in Mattawan Creek, miles from the ocean. A boy wimming with his friends was dragged under. A would be rescuer was mortally injured. Finally, upstream, another boy was mauled. http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/wharf/4477/jersey.html

[rmlew]

I wish they hat a .308 rifle and a whistle!

[chariotdriver]

LMAO!!

love it!

[chariotdriver]

The picture caption that is not the article about the tragedy

[TNdandelion]

I love the FL panhandle area. But I couldn't help but get a creepy feeling with the hairs on the back of my neck standing up every time those schools of small silver/yellow fish came racing by me...some jumping out of the water.

I probably didn't want to know what they were running...er swimming from!

[ppaul]

Thanks for the link.
Scary.

http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/wharf/4477/jersey.html

[Eagle Eye]

I once swam with barracuda off of Pompano Beach. Totally unintentionally of course, and when I got a good enough look at them I backed out of the surf.

Good thing that they normally leave people alone and are just very curious creatures.