SURFING-S. AFRICA/SHARK-REACTION Surfer used instinct to survive shark encounter in South Africa - marine biologist

Record ID: 146559

  • Title: SURFING-S. AFRICA/SHARK-REACTION Surfer used instinct to survive shark encounter in South Africa - marine biologist
  • Date: 20th July 2015
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 20, 2015) (REUTERS) MUIZENBERG BEACH SURF SCHOOL INTERNS GETTING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BEACH SHARK SPOTTERS BASE AT MUIZENBERG BEACH (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARINE BIOLOGIST AND RESEARCH MANAGER AT SHARK SPOTTERS-MUIZENBERG, DOCTOR ALLISON KOCK, SAYING: "He tried to stay on his board and even when he got knocked off his board, he held onto his boa
  • Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAW9AX6Q5IIWKRQ8X7506EO1MO
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: An Australian surfer survived a shark encounter during the final of the World Surf League's J-Bay Open in South Africa because he used his instinct, a marine biologist said on Monday (July 20).
    Triple champion Mick Fanning was paddling out to ride his first wave in Sunday's final when a shark surfaced next to him, knocking the 34-year-old off his board. Fanning managed to fight off off the circling predator with his fists before returning safely to shore. Marine biologist, Dr Allison Kock, said Fanning's instincts probably saved his life.
    "He tried to stay on his board and even when he got knocked off his board, he held onto his board and he kept it in between him and the shark and he also lashed out at the shark. This has been known to deter sharks on occasions and certainly contributed to him walking away unharmed and although he obviously looked to be shocked himself and struggling in a life and death situation he definitely reacted instinctively very well," said Dr Kock, a marine Biologist at Shark Spotters in Muizenberg.
    After the unidentified species of shark apparently swam away, the shaken surfer headed towards the beach and was picked up by a support craft.
    "In this particular case the fact that he was not bitten and that he walked away unharmed suggests that it was more of an investigatory incident, but also having a look at the footage, it looks like the shark got caught in the leash of the surfboard and it got a bit of a fright because what you see in the video is a lot of splashing, that is its tail going backwards and forwards with its head down, so it's not trying to bite, it's trying to get away," she added.
    The attack, which was broadcast on live television, led to the cancellation of the final against compatriot Julian Wilson.
    South African surfing champion Roxy Davis agreed that the attack appeared to be more of an exploratory nature rather than anything more sinister.
    "At first I was quite surprised. I was not sure what was happening but when I realised obviously the trends on Twitter and Facebook started moving around quite fast. These things do happen and from what I saw it looked more like an exploratory investigation from the shark so it did not look like it was planning to attack him or anything sinister," said Davis.
    Such incidents are increasing in South Africa and many surfers believe sharks are losing their respect for humans.
    "I personally believe there is a slight correlation with sharks losing their respect and fear for humans coming too close and there is a correlation in my opinion in Cape Town with incidents with shark bites and operators doing shark cage diving because it was not an issue prior to, let's say, 20 years ago," said surfing instructor, Karel Lewis-Phillips.
    South Africa's waters are among the most shark-infested in the world. A swimmer was killed by a Great White shark at Albatross Point close to Jeffrey's Bay in 2013.
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