Obviously there is a massive amount of shark talk around Bondi this morning…At 7:30pm last night a shark bit a surfers arm as he was paddling out the back. The incident happened half way between the lifeguard tower and southern corner. This is the first shark attack in Bondi since 1929 and the second shark attack in Sydney within 36 hrs. Unbelievable…
Mick Marj, Bondi’s top dog was right there last night witnessing the whole incident.
Glenn Orgias, 33 year old from Dover Heights paddled past Mick at 7:30pm. Moments later there was a large splashing about in the water. Mick said you could see a large tail fin thrashing about as the shark attacked Glen’s left arm. Glen screamed “SHARK” and scrambled back onto his board attempting to get back to the beach. All the surfers came in at this time. Mick scrambled to the beach and up to the skate bowls to find someone with a mobile phone where they called an ambulance.
“Looking back you could see a large amount of blood in the water and other surfers helping the victim out of the water. His left hand was severed off, barely attached, and his bicep had been torn and bleeding as well” said Mick shaken up.
When asked what type of shark it was he guessed it to be a Bull Shark, but that’s not confirmed as it wasn’t 100% visible. Mick said – it was big.
This morning the beach was deserted. 2 guys paddled out in the middle whilst the lifeguards on jetskis warned them of the current dangers and what happened last night. The beach is currently closed, flags down, but the lifeguards said should be open later today.
If you were surfing last night, please post what you saw….click here to submit. Lets hope a speeding recovery for Glen who is currently at St Vinni’s trying to save his hand.
Aquabumps Gallery
Valentine’s day tomorrow fellas. A surf DVD and sixer just won’t cut it..if you need a gift, we’ve got small frames good to go. 10am to 6pm all weekend. Telephone 02-9130 7788. We do gift vouchers. 151 Curlewis Street Bondi Beach
we saw load of fish… the waves were shit.. lots of stuff in the water…very inviting for sharks. i haven’t seen the actual attack but we saw the ambulance and seconds later the life guards came racing with a boat (mind u after hours) screaming “there has been a shark attack” so we paddled out..
I was out a little earlier (around 6.30pm) in the middle of the beach and have never seen so many seagulls flying around. There must have been bait fish everywhere. It had a real sharky feel to it with the water still pretty murky.
Makes the swim on flat days between Flat Rock and Icebergs a little more interesting now I guess.
I drove past Bondi at 7.20pm. The water was grey (no viz.), wind was on-shore, sun was setting and waves crumbly windies…i saw about 20 surfers in the water and thought they were mad. It looked very sharky. Little did i know what was about to happen.
Both Sydneys shark attacks occurred at dusk or dawn. Not good times to be frolicking in the water. I am going to re-think my early morning across bondi swims.
I was just cruising back to Maroubra and a mate of mine said we should suss the south end of Bondi because there was heaps of free munchies. I said ‘sweet’ because I’m a lazy bugger and we hooked right and it was out of control. Bait everywhere and and annoying gulls crashing the party. There were some humans about, but they taste shit and you’ve got to peel them first.
I must’ve had about 15-20 fish and was chasing this school through the shallows when I see this big sucker dip in on the surface. I go the growl and just as I’m about to swallow, the ‘fish’ gets pulled out of me mouth and realise it’s friggin human. I bailed. Hope they don’t come after me. Sorry about the mix up Glen.
The shark.
Evening, overcast, lotsa seagulls, murky water – all spells shark to me, we all know the rules… I feel for the poor guy, but we are in the shark’s territory at a time when sharks are most likely to be feeding – why are we surprised. I sure hope they don’t kill the shark – that would be another tragedy.
I was watching from up near the skate park, feeling sorry for myself cos I wan’t in water due to injury. Overcast, blown out and it looked like shit down in the water. Everyone is saying it in hind sight but “sharky” pretty much sums it up.
The two kiteboarders had my attention when a surfer ran past at full speed looking like he was trying to catch a bus. Weird but it’s Bondi. A minute later another guy shot past me at top sped, followed closely by the group of surfers who came to Glen’s aid carrying him on a board up to near the car park entrance.
Man, they did an awesome job. They had it under control given the circumstances and ambos arrived in no time so I reckon they gave him the best shot at getting out of the whole thing.
So Uge, you have access to a big list with this site. If you set up a fund for him through Aquabumps I’ll be the first to throw in…
Im a friend of Glen’s family. They are all here in Sydney, supporting Glen in hospital.
Thanks for the support and wishes Uge, apparently they have reattached his hand and things are looking up. Thank goodness for the blokes who put the leash around his arm. They saved his life. Glen and his family are the last people who’d be talking about punitive action against sharks. This is just a prick of a bad luck story.
I myself took a look, decided it looked too sharky and bailed. The lure of the first swell in forever is just so strong!
Anyway, cheers, Haz.
Here we go. everybody’s shark stories are going to come out, ” did you here about…….” my beloved sharks are not doing them selves any good in the PR department this week. As we all know the sharks have always been there and if they wanted to eat people all those swimmer that swim the beach every day would be dropping off like flies but they don’t why because in reality they are not interest in us as a meal yes they come and take a bit and realize that’s not seal or a turtle or a fish and swim on if they really want to eat us you would never see the victims again. I would say in these instance it was mistaken identity because the fact there was heaps of bait fish in the water once they realized that’s not fish they let go. don’t forget these are wild animals but they very important to our marine eco system.
“Don’t believe the hype” and keep surfing
Richo
I was out when it happened, I saw the guy yell out and we all paddled in straight away. Everything happened so quickly, we ran to get an ambulance whilst the others carried him in and applied the tourniquet to his arm, good work guys, you saved his life!!! I wish Glen all the best and a speedy recovering!
Hey guys,
We’re doing a story on the 6pm news tonight about Glenn. If anyone knows him, would you mind emailing me?
It sounds like an amazing survival story. (no we’re not trying to get the shark killed or anything stupid like that).
Cheers.
Lynne.
oh .. and my email is lscrivens@seven.com.au
Hi everyone, thanks for your comments. its been a busy morning.
Good to hear Glen’s hand looks like it can be re-attached after surgery this morning.
Uge
Yesterday was very sharky, but there have been plenty of other days like that with surfers in the water and no shark attacks. Just a freak occurrence.
You always have sharks in the back of your mind somewhere while surfing but I guess you never realise the possible consequences. Seeing the severity and randomness of that attack really makes you realise your vulnerability out there.
Well done to all those at the scene. Good luck Glen
My seven year old was having a surfing lesson up the south end until 6:45pm! Too close for comfort …
Hi there,
Channel Nine is working on a story for our 6pm news on this horrific attack.
We’d like to hear from anyone who knows Glenn and get some pictures of him.
Please give us a call on 9965 2180 or you can email us at tcnnewsroom@nine.com.au,
Thanks,
Chloe
Hey everyone,
Here at Nine we are also following Glenn’s story. If anyone knows Glenn could they please shoot me an email… iradovic@nine.com.au
cheers,
Ivana
Hi Everyone,
I am planning on starting a donation collection for Glenn Orgias, the bite victim, through the gallery and online.
Will send out a email with information to the 30,000 subscribers soon.
Cheers, uge
Just a quick message to wish Glenn a speedy recovery and to say well done to the guys who took him in and applied the necessary first aid. It would be so easy to panic in that situation but fair play for keeping your heads and hopefully your quick reactions will have saved Glenn’s hand.
I rubbed up against something solid in the water yesterday morning when I was swimming with my group – exactly where guy got taken. Strangely. I forgot about it as I was just about to catch a wave..
Besides, sharks are bad dr business, so kept it quiet..
However, I had a shudder last night when I got the 1st text about the attack..
Sharks are such a lottery!
Hey Glen – hope you get healthy mate.:)
Yeah Spot,
That was me yesterday morning.
Was a bit toey. Consider it a pinch on the arse, spunky.
The Shark.
To all the Bondi Bait out there (of which I am one),
Get your limited edition X-large fish-hooks. Light-weight titanium – shouldn’t effect performance, much. Set of 4 with wrist/ankle straps. If they’re gonna get you, you might as well get ‘em too.
Thursday was the first day I didn’t go bodyboarding all week. I only get out there at 7.10pm cos I work late so I only had the option of ‘Sharky’ boarding during the week, the week of the first swell in ages. I actually brought my mate Dave for his first bodyboard ever on Wed, commendable for him considering the size of the swell and the fact of the Woolloomooloo attack the morning before was all over the news.
Anyway I live overlooking the mid – south end of Bondi and I was having a beer watching the surf intermittently. All of a sudden I heard a sound that I personally haven’t heard since my frst day in Bondi beach two and a half years ago; that dreaded Shark Alarm.
Having a pair of binoculars handy all I could see when I looked was 5-6 surfers getting back to the beach as quickly as possible. They were catching any bit of whitewater mess going, while a lifeguard was flying around the waves on a Jetski calling at everyone to come in (nice one lifeguard).
I have to say that I felt for One surfer who in the process of racing back went head over heals, glad to see him heading into the beach afterwards again, being upside down in the water at that particular time would have been pretty scary i’d say. I’ve never seen a group of surfers abandoning the ocean like that before.
Serious respect to the sufers who saved his life and the lifeguard that may have saved at least another one. I really hope Glen makes a good recovery to surf again some day, I know I’ll be contributing to the collection, it could have happened to any of us.
Good luck Glen, wish u the best.
Aloha Aussies…..
i´m from Sapin and just say a quick hello to everyone at Bondi….no worries about Sharks…..i hope one day i can swim againg in Bondi…. or Icebergs…. but at the moment i have to swim in a small swimming pool here in Sitges…..
Big regards
Jordi Roch.
sitgesroch@yahoo.es
You should be ok in Icebergs Jordi – the only sharks there are the fat lawyers and lately they have been very well fed I imagine due to the Global Financial Crisis pal.
Come on guys, lets put some perspective on this one. Big sharks swimming round bondi should be destroyed. Big animals are killed every day in Australia, from cows, to sheep, to kangaroos all of which I’d argue would score higher on an IQ test than a big fish called a bull shark. I’d be happy to eat the shark just like we eat all those other animals everyday. There’s obviously no shortage on them from an ecological point of view and we should take a sensible approach and keep the numbers coming through the busiest beach in australia under control.
The alternative (I think misguided) argument that is discussed above is that when we enter the water we enter the shark’s territory and as such become part of the ocean’s food chain. If that’s the case then you can’t really stop someone (as an animal in the food chain) hunting the shark back.
It is only out of respect for you Uge that I am reserving my reply (the one I really, really want to make) to Vic. Mum said If I don’t have anything nice to say then I shouldn’t say anything at all…
Vic, yer a dick
A mate was 2m from the scene when it all happened. Said he saw a large dark shape swim under him to get to Glen. He recalls a boil, with water frothing everywhere, and a massive tail breaching the surface. He said Glen went under, but soon popped back up. He paddled over and helped Glen to shore.
As you would expect, he was (is) super shaken up, and is now hoping for a clearer day to get back out there – to face his fear head on.
We would achieve nothing by killing a shark or two. They are an integral part of the marine ecosystem, we have to respect them for that.
Everyone knows the rules, if its murky, dark, overcast, and there’s a lot of fish activity, you stay out.
Glen, hears to a speedy recovery.
Cheers
Further to that, I think youre confusing local abundance with an animal being common and using it to design a management strategy. Tigers are locally abudant in Kanha NP, central India. There’s 45 of them in a small area. But the overall pop is only 1400 or so, globally. Tigers put loads of pressure on the locals, but would you advocate killing any tiger that comes close to people there? All tiger pops are subject to huge pressure from people, being in the most populous parts of the world. A the moment sharks appear to be locally abundant near Sydney, due to current conditions (loads of bait) but globally are threatened and declining. People fish tens of millions of them Australia is one of only a few countries with protection measures in place. Who knows what the global pop of bull sharks is? Would you advocate eliminating any sharks in what may be one of their last few refuges globally? May as well let people whale in the Antarctic too, cause whales are locally abundant, on a seasonal basis there. Sorry for being rude earlier, but maybe have a think more broadly around an issue
second that. vic yer a dick.
Yeah Vic, you got just about everything wrong. But thanks for your input. U Dick.
I’ve jumped in the water after 7pm on thu, used souther rip to padle out and i remember that guy on the red softboard sitting in the white water, well i’ve paddled out it was choppy so i’ve caught a few chunks and came out about 8pm, I saw from the water that some people were caring a guy to the top of the bondi hill so i thought someone broke something it happens, but when i got out of the watter and decided to look what happened cos i’ve parked close to the boom gates I saw F@ck ! no hand ! shark attack! wow!!!!! I guess I was one of the lucky onse who were in the watter that time , then 10 minutes later police arrived two fat police chicks started pushing all surfers away and bossing around, i’ve just left .
Harry: look at the Alaskan people who commonly have polar bears in their community boundaries looking for food, and despite being magnificent and rare creatures, yes they must be shot or else habits form which reinforce humans = food.
The ocean is technically the sharks domain, only because they haven’t got legs and can’t breath air. We humans can swim and make boats, so we can stake something of a claim to the ocean too – if you dislike me saying that, then you’re a hypocrit if you ever eat seafood, go on a boat or flush a log down the toilet…
I’m no gungho anti environmentalist, but I am a realist, and with 6 billion humans on this planet, it’s a little late to be turning soft over one type of dangerous animal while other much rarer ones get killed every day for good reason. But of course, everyone feels like just so much more of a hardcore soul surfer if they *claim* that they’d happily get bitten by sharks cause it’s “their turf”.
Best of luck to Glen’s recovery, I hope the one that got him isn’t one of the same ones that had a human snack somewhere else.
p.s. I’ve experienced being bitten by a snake which attacked unprovoked, it could have killed me if the venom got in my bloodstream. And I would’ve killed the bugger if any form of blunt instrument was within reach…it’s a wild world out there.
Hey Alex – can you get your mate to contact me? – I also saw him go under and was one of the guys that pulled him out of the water.
cheers,
c
044.988.7311
Hey guys!
I think we should leave the sharks alone, as mentioned above we are in their territory and not vica versa, you don’t see sharks swimming in our back yards or baths do you? Now that would be an issue!
I think the local councils should put up more viable shark nets, or allow fishing back particularly in the harbour as we Aussies are all ocean lovers for one reason or another> I come from White Pointer country in SA and we grew up forever in the ocean but also knowing we could get munched at any time that’s the chances we take for loving our country and the abundance it has to offer hey?
A speedy and healthy recovery to Glen!
Peggs
Could it be that we’ve got so hell bent on doing the right thing by the planet, that we’ve started to over compensate for past actions, with potentially dire consequences??
1. It seems that many of the tragic deaths in the recent bushfires could have been averted if the greenies hadn’t stopped parts of the bush being cleared and back burnt. Individual trees near houses that were ordered not to be cut down to protect the tree, that ended up burning to the ground in minutes along with 180+ lives, countless innocent animals and hectares of bushland.
and now…
2. Sydney harbour and surrounds – we’ve done such an amazing job of cleaning up the harbour and our beaches, we’ve stopped commercial fishing, the harbour is crystal clear, the poo is being treated to a point that what is being pumped out is cleaner than some countries’ drinking water. On the flip side our oceans are getting more and more fished out… the commercial fisherman that used to fish Sydney harbor now fish 2-3+ miles offshore… put 2 and 2 together – we continue to take the Shark’s food away from them offshore and we’re creating an aquarium like smorgasboard in the centre of teh most populated beaches in Australia. hmmm ….
I say it’s time to control shark populations near the coast (at least counting them rather than guesstimating), and killing any shark that attacks a human gets my vote… I know it sounds cruel, but if other animals like lions &crocodiles have been proven to develop a taste for humans and are destroyed why are sharks so different?
I just wanted to make it clear to all the budding shark-hunters out there, that, before you go out and get geared up with harpoons, a scope and your fishing dingy, my previous comment was in jest. Not to take anything away from Glen or the diver in the harbour, but I was having a go at the way you all jump at the chance to over-protect yourselves.
Are you the type of people that think war is good? Have you seen JAWS fifty too many times? Have you ever heard of an accident, or perhaps even, a freak accident?
Vic, everyone has said it before. Damien, do you always want to kill an entire species of any creature that may, or may not, pose a risk to your well-being? Gavin, can I take your opinion seriously if you think that the water in Sydney harbour is ‘crystal clear’ and that our sewerage outflow should be bottled and sent overseas to improve the quality of their drinking water?
I urge all you shark-hunters to consider the following:
– How often, on average, do sharks attack humans?
– If sharks liked eating humans, would people ever survive shark attacks?
– If a particular shark attacked a human, do you think you could really track down that exact shark?
p.s. A couple of weeks ago, prior to the incident/ attack/ massacre/ media soap opera, I was surfing a few hours north up the coast and saw the huge tail-fin of a full-grown great–white about 20 metres away from me. I paddled into shore cautiously, but believe me, if it wanted me it would have had me!
That other Vic, the one using my name, that wouldn’t be Vic Hislop would it? Cos he is a dick.
DJ is spot on. Both these blokes survived attacks from sharks that could have shorn them in two with one bite. If the sharks had really wanted a meal of long pork, they’d have had it. My experience as a professional scuba diver has shown me that even the biggest scariest sharks would rather just stick to their regular diet and just cruise around. Furthermore sharks, intelligent animals who learn very quickly (unlike you Vic the Dick), once used to sharing their turf with humans will leave them alone. I share one of my favourite breaks with loads of black tips and tigers, and no-one has ever been bitten there. Get over it people and learn to enjoy their company.
hey bec.. i was one of the coaches on that lesson with ur 7 year old that finished at 6:45… cant believe this happend so soon after we finished… spun out when i saw it all happen on the way home…
all the best to glen….
I recently shaped a board for Glenn. He only picked up the board from my factory a few weeks ago.
I was so shocked to hear the news. Not only the fact that someone had been attacked by a shark at Bondi!!! But the fact that I knew the surfer, not well, but just the fact that I met him. It really hit home for me.
I just want to wish Glenn all the best, and hope and pray that his recovery goes well. It’s a very unfortunate incident and it could have happened to any of us.
I have to agree with Dj’s comments and the questions he poses about the incidence of shark attacks.
With all respect to Glen’s current situation (I certainly wish him a speedy recovery) and any other victim of a shark attack, the idea that sharks in general have acquired a taste for humans is complete bullshit, particularly on an evolutionary scale. Even If an individual shark or even a species has made the connection between slow flailing and floating bipeds in the water and an easy meal then we still can’t atttribute malice or forethought to their actions if and when they attack. They are simply doing what they do and have done for millions of years. Their bump and taster bite is often enough to do us in, let alone a full blown attack.
We place ourselves squarely in their natural environment i.e food chain, and then scream bloody blue murder if one of us is has the misfortune to be attacked or bitten. Most of us who put ourselves out there in the water know and should accept the risks. Dusk to dawn is feeding time and we all know it even though we still go out then to avoid crowds and grab a few to ourselves. Flocks of birds usually means baitballs or big schools of fish. Suddenly colder water can mean upwelling, nutrients, more fish etc etc. Logically, the bigger predators are also going to be present or nearby. Lets learn to read the signs as well as satisfying our cravings for waves!
As DJ said if a shark really has its eye on us then we can pretty much do bugger all about it. I was out at the Bra 2 days after Christmas. I paddled over the first wave of a set and there smack bang in front of me about 20 ms away silently cruising along the top of the unbroken third wave was a 6-8 foot bronze whaler. I got a full profile view of the whole damn magnificent thing from the angular tail-fin to the dorsal and the whole length and bulk of it. Sure I told the others around me to bail and paddled in as smoothly and quickly as I could and then informed the lifeguards who closed the beach. If it had really wanted me there was little I could have done but I sure as hell didn’t hang around to find out. If I had been taken I sure as hell wouldn’t want the shark hunted down and killed.
Forget the defaming, go for a bit of science:
If the last shark attack was 1939 and the latest is 2009, and “days” are considered the event, then the probability of that happening again are:
1/(365)x(365)x(365)..etc..that is 365 multtiplied by itself 70 times.
If the last shark attack was 1939 and the latest is 2009, and “humans entering the water” are considered the event, and you assume on average 1000 “humans entering the water” every day in Bondi, then the probability of that happening again are:
1/(365×1000)x(365×1000)x(365×1000)..etc..that is (365×1000) multtiplied by itself 70 times.
Discount the above for what are quite obviouisly “sharky days” as that would skew average calculations > forgive small note of sarcasm on hindsight commentary.
The end result is absolutely infintesimally small chance of anything happening > get out there!
Nonetheless, if there is a sick shark in the area that can’t feed properly or it can be proven(?) that one has a taste for human flesh, then I say kill it in self defense.
Hey Felix, Ive seen exactly the same thing but a little smaller at the bra, off Nth Point, on my pat malone, bout 100m away from nearest other surfer. It just cruised off, I shat still. Didnt come in though, cause it was too good!
Just responding to a couple of comments, Gavin, Ive spent time in Alaska and contrary to your gung-ho attitude, they only shoot polar bears as a last resort, prefering to move them away, scare them away, or otherwise move them off. Polars are very nomadic, so rarely stay in one place long enough to develop a taste for people. Apart from that Alaska is the most redneck, huntin, shootinest state in the states, just look at Sarah Palin. Not really a role model for rational and forward thinking behaviour!
The other difference is polar bears hunt large mammals, that look just like us. Sharks dont, except whites, and even them rarely consume people just bite them, get a scare and leave.
Sounds good Damon. The probability is extremely low indeed but killing in self-defense is stretching things a bit as there is no way you could ‘prove’ that a shark has developed a taste for us. I agree sick and injured sharks do pose a problem. Like us they look for easy meals! Unfortunately humans are very good at eliminating risks before they ever arise, in many cases even if they would never arise. The cost of any action needs to included in in any discussion of its value. cheers.
All the very best to Glen.
N.B. My brother learnt the hard way …Don’t pee in the surf..
This begs a further question for all ye scientist types;
q: does that mean that an “Aquadump” is also going to attract our prehistoric friends????
The ‘kill it or don’t kill it’ debate can only realistically be decided by science.
If it can be shown that sharks are more likely to attack other humans after they’ve successfully attacked someone, then sharks that have attacked someone should clearly be hunted down and killed. To do otherwise is to invite further shark attacks and further human tragedy.
If no such link can be established, then what good could possibly come from killing the beast? It would be an execution with no purpose other than revenge.
As I understand it there is currently no science to suggest that sharks are more likely to attack people once they’ve attacked someone. I could be wrong though – does anyone know more about this?
Saw a kid get mowed down by a Toyota Kluger the other day. I say we should detroy them whenever they venture in the proximity of people… never mind vending machines, now that is one deadly creature if you should provoke it!
Over 100 millions sharks are killed annually for their fins… I’m not sure what difference a few sharks off heavily populated beaches make. Keep it in perspective.
I surfed Long Reef the Collaroy area almost daily between 1970 and 1985 and never saw a single shark.
That can be interpreted two ways.
A) Shark populations in Sydney have gone through the roof.
B) Two guys have been unbeleivably unlucky in the past couple of weeks.
Me thinks it’s the latter.
Why add another to that list then TP, that not logical, its bad enough that the others are killed!
I’ve been surfing up north and when we got out some guys viewing from the dunes told us about a group of bronzies 25m away from us, just cruised past, did nothing, and we were 6 tasty morsels if they’d wanted us. Thank god I didn’t see them.
Panic and fear are not what I want to motivate me, or stop me from surfing, nor will I allow them to encourage me to take the life of something else – call me whatever you want, greenie, hippie.
Damien, the difference betwen a snake and a shark is the endangerment and the fact that the snake attacked you deliberately. In Glenn’s case (good luck in recovery mate) it was a case of mistaken identity. That shark could have taken his hand/arm/all of him if it had wanted it – I reckon it probably got the shock of its life when the fish it thought it had pulled back.
Keep it in perspective? EVERY shark is a treasure. It makes me laugh because half these people that want to do the killing aren’t even the ones that surf or swim each day *sigh*. We all know the risks when we get in a car, a plane etc and the risks are severely lower for a shark attack, so yes, keep it in perspective. Let’s not forget it is us who choose to venture into their world, not the other way around. Hell, I’ll be all for it the day sharks sprout legs, walk out of the water and take a bit outta someone on the sand, but until then…if you don’t want to risk a bite, stay the hell out of the water. It’s as simple as that. We make think we are the most important species on the planet but others are here for a reason, just because we can’t relate to them or fear them, doesn’t give us the right to delete them – even if it is a few in heavily populated beaches!
You are 4 times more likely to be injured by a soft drinks machine falling on you than by a shark attack. Please, put these very rare attacks into some perspective.
If you don’t want to risk being injured by a soft drinks machine, do you take a sledgehammer to them all, just in case? Burn down all the factories that make them, just in case? No. You either accept the risk that when you poke D14 on the number pad for your can of coke you might activate the “death to humans” hidden programming code that will make the machine rise up & body slam you, or you stay away from them.
Same applies to sharks. You accept the INFINITESIMAL risk that “there are one or two attacks every 60 years or so, with millions of people swimming & surfing in the ocean” & go into the water or you sit behind your computer & live vicariously through Aquabumps!
By the way, I’ve done over 2000 SCUBA dives with sharks all over the world, including being less than 1metre from a 5 metre Tiger Shark, in schools of 300+ Hammerheads, eye-to-eye with a 6m Oceanic White-Tip, countless swims with large Bronze Whalers & Bull Sharks, & just about every other type of shark you can name… I spent nearly 2 years commercial diving in Sydney Harbour, in the water 5-8 hours a day on hookah near the surface, & I didn’t even see a Bull Shark let alone get attacked by one.
Hope you make a speedy recovery Glen.
I’ve been saying to my mates for years that it’s only a matter of time before a shark attack happens on an East suburbs beach.
I tend to swim at the netted harbour beaches (the fruity ones)……Bec’s would kill me if I went swimming at a surf beach……we are ‘Getting Wed’ next month see!
Anyone wanna see my shark dive pics?
JV
Edgecliffe
(Holden driver & proud).
Phew…what a discussion!
I went back into the water for the first time again today, and i have to admit i was a little more nervous than i expected to be! Do you think sharks like pretty shiny things? i was wondering that as i sat out there with my legs dangling, and toenail polish twinkling!!!
Anyways, i guess we’ve all been thinking ‘its where we surf, its when we surf, it could have been me’, well the lesson i’m taking from it is to get more informed about the behaviours, habits, territories etc of sharks, so that i can be better informed on the risks i’m taking. Its just like wearing the right footware when you go walking in the bush/long grass where there is likely to be snakes…knowing the animals behaviour, helps you know how to adjust your own.
Best of luck with the recovery Glen, our thoughts are with you!
Thank you for the above lessons in the sacred shark which is clearly revered in this part of the world above and beyond all others. I now understand that impacting my environment in anyway is unacceptably anthrocentric and as such I have stopped eating meat, fish, dairy and grain. I have also demolished my house to allow the native flora and fauna to return.
I have woken up to the surprising fact that I am more likely to be killed by a drinks machine than being eaten by a shark. I always thought the relevant risk for the individual was the chance of being killed spending an hour getting drinks out of a machine vs. the risk of getting eaten while swimming along a beach for an hour. I suppose footpaths are extremely lethal because I know thousands of people trip and fall to their death every year on those.
In keeping with my conversion I was wondering what I should do if I’m attacked by one of these majestic creatures. Would it be right for me to fight back and defend myself or should I let it take me like the true believer I am. Obviously in fighting back I might hurt the shark. If I am allowed an element of self defence, what are the upper limits of this? Would a pocket knife be too much?
I also like Simon’s idea of scientifically working out whether a shark is more likely to attack a human after attacking one before. To do it properly we’d have to put some sharks in a tank with a group of true believers and see whether the ones who eat humans are more likely to do it again, or whether they’re turned off by the taste after one go.
haha love it!!
Look I dont like the idea of being munched as much as the next guy and if some bloody big submarine with a front loaded chainsaw has a go at me Im sure as hell not going to go quietly. Dependent on whats to hand given my pursuits that defence could be anything from fists to dive knife or spear gun and if the shark should die in the process, I will be sad but without regret. Thats a point in time life or death struggle, I dont agree with hunting them down just because they are sharks and they might bite you because you look like a fish or seal. I grew up in Cape Town and had the privliege of seeing pointers in the water and I shat my fair share of wetsuits but thats life in the ocean. We dont shoot Lions on the Serengeti just because they are there or could sneak into your tent at night. We do shoot them if they kill people but then there is scientific evidence pointing to a behavioural change in these creatures and the fact they are also restricted to territory. Im also pretty sure a Lion doesnt mistake you for a gazelle in the afternoon sun. A shark on the other hand has the whole ocean as territory and likes to hunt in conditions where its prey cannot see it – obviously these limitations even with their sensory array apply to the shark as well. The fact that a lot of attacks are single bites indicates that once they have had a go they realise its not what they are after and swim off. Probably enough to say they dont actively seek humans to eat.
Speaking of sustenance – time for another beer! Enjoy the weekend – and hopefully some more decent swell on Sunday
Oh Vic – here I was thinking to myself that I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt.
I’m not going to subject myself to name calling. The point I’d like to make is, there is an awful lot of difference between defending yourself against a shark attack with all your vigour AND a lynch mob going after a shark with a bullet and God knows what else – Oh wait, how do we know it was that particular shark that carried out the attack, oh well who cares, just kill them all…I don’t think so! The thing is you can’t be absolutely sure it was one particular shark until it’s dead and you find some remains, tell me – how many should they kill to find the right one? I don’t know too many cows, fish etc that are killed maliciously (because that is what you are talking about here) they are killed as part of the food chain, we are dominant on land and I guess it’s just people like you who can’t appreciate the fact that if we are not in our perfect environment, we are not the strongest species – far from it my friend. There is no lynch mob hunting those of us who eat meat, fish, eggs etc because they are our food source, just like anything in the ocean that moves a particular way, smells inviting in the sharks own environment is for it. I can’t believe there is all this discussion about this really because it’s all so simple – we make informed decisions about our lives and our safety every day and going into the ocean, shouldn’t be an exception and honestly with the way humans hunt and take whatever we want, isn’t it a little like the pot calling the kettle black?
I was back in the water today and it was mighty fine. So happy the sunshine is back! I won’t lie and tell you that the thought of big bitey things didn’t cross my mind while I was splashing around out there but until the day one pops up in my bubble bath, I won’t be baying for their blood.
Let me warn you though of another animal that poses a far greater risk to our health than sharks, polar bears and snakes combined – homo sapiens. And just like sharks, the risk of attack by one of these critters is greater between dusk and dawn. Working in an emergency department I have witnessed first hand the devastation this animal can wreak. And patching up the victims of attacks by homo sapiens have kept me far busier than the victims of sharks, vending machines and snakes (especially on a Friday and Saturday night). With the increasing incidence of random attacks on Sydney’s streets should we start culling this animal too? Maybe just at the more populated beaches, as suggested by some. It would certainly make it easier to find a patch of sand to spread out the ol’ beach towel at Bondi on a hot summer Saturday.
The only sure fire way to prevent being nibbled by a shark is to sit under a tree (which, by the way, is also the only true cure for seasickness). I hope all those whose fear drives them to hate enjoy the shade, I’m going to continue enjoying the surf.
And let’s not forget why this discussion was started – best wishes for a speedy recovery to both the boys. My thoughts are with you and your families at this unfathomably difficult time.
I was one of the two doctors that were amongst the large number of guys that helped Glen last week. I dont have anything profound to say but having been witness to the event I’d like to get a few things out.
Firstly all the best to Glen. I hope you get better very soon. Working in hospital I’ve seen a lot of people in pain but you were amazing. You never complained once, you kept your head big time. This strength I’m sure will see you through.
To the french guys who put the tourniquet round Glens’ arm, you are real hero’s. This was done so quickly and so well that although I came along within a few seconds of Glen being on the beach I never saw a drop of blood. You know this I’m sure but your quick thinking saved his life. Be proud. Also all the guys and the girl that carried Glen up the beach did a great job. In these days of road rage and even surf rage its good to know we can all count on each other when something bad happens.
To any one who has or is still looking after Glen in hospital you guys are amazing too. To have saved his hand (which without exaggeration was only hanging on by about an inch of purely skin) is truly remarkable. You do an awesome job and should be recognised for it.
With respect to the sharks I feel all passive measures possible to reduce risk to water users should be utilised. This is not “the sharks fault”. They are in their annual feeding run up the coast. Combine this with overcast weather and fresh rainwater run off from this city of millions of people and its no wonder this chance event occurs. Proper sewage and rainwater treatment, a reduction in overfishing, research into shark and marine biology and probably better designed shark nets / deterents may be our best defence against this sort of tragedy. These things however take time, money and honest commitment from legislators, councils and tax payers alike. Exterminating sharks is not only ridiculous but also just makes our world a poorer place. Knee jerk quick fixes rarely work.
Lastly, I for one knew I was taking a risk going surfing that day. The navy diver Paul had been badly hurt just 24 hours before. We like to think were invincible and yet we are not. Every day we take chances and even if we dont shit just happens. Every day some poor bugger gets something he or she doesn’t deserve. All we can do is reduce the odds by being sensible and get on with making the most of today.
What can we do ? What is the answer? Any ideas out there ? How about a surveillance warning solution that works 24/7 .
We all know man and predator are sharing the same territory on busy beaches we have alarms people watching ,but the life guards are not on duty the whole time ,flags go down the guards are gone It’s a coincidence that typically the best surf is dawn or dusk and the Noah’s like it then as well.
May be paint your toe nails ? People once said sharks do not like white ,it helps to say my board has a white bottom should keep me safe ….I don’t think so…Electronic devices radiating signals to deter the shadows have not taken off .
What about some satellite inferred like gizmo that spots fish like a giant fish finder calculates its a predator then lets off an alarm warning. If this sort of idea works we could get rid of the nets and save countless marine life and if we choose give us ample time to get out of the water.
Glen wishing you a 100% recovery.
In your case Vic, it might be best not to fight back.
Food for thought:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/odd/5333202/shark-attacks-drop-recession-cuts-beach-time/
http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2009/national/shark-patrol/index.html
see also:
http://www.sharkattackfile.net/
In keeping with the philosophy of Albert Einstein, the mission of the Global Shark Attack File is to provide current and historical data on shark/human interactions for those who seek accurate and meaningful information and verifiable references.
For researchers needing more data, and for those in the media, the Global Shark Attack File provides direct contact information of the case investigators.
It is the goal of the Global Shark Attack File to demonstrate and emphasize, through scientific analysis, the significance of shark/human interactions in comparison to the myriad dangers that we face in our daily lives. With a better understanding of these interactions we can minimize the risk of being injured by a shark and concentrate on the conservation of all shark species worldwide.
“Instead of ignoring the problem or pretending that we can put up nets and protect everyone from sharks, what is needed is a public education campaign to teach people how to live with sharks,” Lewis Levine, M.D.
cheers
Yer still a dick, Vic. One who thinks he’s vewy, vewy clever.
While I don’t agree with it, I can understand Vic’s frustration and misunderstanding. It’s easy to jump to conclusions, especially when mankind’s solution to many a problem is simply to overpower it.
I’ve surfed about 20 years now and have lived in Bondi for the past 6 months… Seen a couple Port Jackson’s off the north point while snorkelling but that’s been about it. I have to admit though in the week leading up to the attack the water seemed pretty murky. I was surprised at how long Bondi could hold all the sediment (looked like blended seaweed?) without being flushed away by the swell. I’d been up at Palmy the Sunday before the attack and it was crystal, then swam back at home that afternoon and it was cloudy and about 3 degrees cooler.
I’ll admit, I’m still kind of freaked out. Last time I heard the shark alarm was at Freshwater about 15 years ago and I shat myself then, but forgot about it until last week. I don’t have a solution or protection proposal. I just think it’s like anything in life… How much would you have not accomplished if you were too scared to even try? Just keep surfing.
Can Certain Metals Repel Sharks From Fishing Gear?
ScienceDaily (Apr. 24, 2008) — Sharks in captivity avoid metals that react with seawater to produce an electric field, a behavior that may help fishery biologists develop a strategy to reduce the bycatch of sharks in longline gear. Shark bycatch is an increasing priority worldwide given diminished populations of many shark species, and because sharks compete with target species for baited lines, reducing fishing efficiency and increasing operating costs.
i remember watchin something on this as a kid… my theory is, if your that shit scared of being bitten.. have a look at this.. if they can do it for fishin gear… im sure they can put something on your leggie to stop the buggers from havin a chomp.. no need for a pocket knife vic 😉
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422120313.htm
Didn’t Ron and Valerie Taylor invent a certain type of diving suit with a particular metal substance that inhibited the shark’s ability to penetrate it??? Just wondering with all the scientific minds out there, that someone hasn’t come up with something that can be blended in with a wetsuit to offer some substantial protection. Obviously it would have to be extremely lightweight – but I think the substantial financial rewards of such an invention would be mind blowing LOL. Though I can also imagine the expense for the average surfer, diving or body boarder when purchasing such a wet suit too. *sigh*
I don’t know if there is anything certain that could save you if a great white decided to launch an aggresive attack – the sheer size and power, let alone the teeth. Maybe there is some type of repelent, again though it would have to be something that doesn’t conflict with the environment…
Thanks everyone for their comments. Here is a media statement (JUST RELEASED) from the government calling the shark a Great white for the Bondi Attack on Glen.
Monday, 23 February, 2009
Ian Macdonald
Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy,
Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development
Great White Responsible for Attack on Sydney Surfer
A Great White shark was involved in the attack on a Sydney surfer at Bondi Beach, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today.
Minister Macdonald said Government scientists had made the identification after studying photographs of the wounds suffered by the surfer.
“I can confirm a 2.5 metre Great White shark was involved in the attack on the evening of Thursday, February 12 at Bondi,” he said.
“Sharks of the size that was involved in the attack on the Bondi surfer are starting to change their diet from being primarily fish-based to feeding on marine mammals such as seals & dolphins.
“Note that in almost all cases, great whites tend to release the person after biting – probably as they don’t recognise the taste.
“21 Great whites have been caught in the nets off the South Sydney beaches since 1990 and occur almost year round.
“Two great white sharks of about 2m have previously been caught off Bondi, one in December 2005 and one in November 2008.”
Minister Macdonald said before the shark meshing program began in 1937 we had 24 fatalities recorded in Sydney waters alone over the period 1900-1937
“Of the ocean beaches at that time, Bondi had the highest number of attacks in the Sydney region with 6, then Coogee and Maroubra both with 5 each,” he said.
“There are never 100% guarantees when swimming in the ocean, we must remember we are in the sharks’ domain – for example Bondi was netted at the time of the latest attack. The nets are there to break up shark habitat patterns not as a barrier.”
Steps to increase beach safety include: avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk, avoiding waters with known effluents or sewage and areas that are used by recreational or commercial fishers, as well as not swimming in areas with signs of baitfish or fish feeding activity – diving seabirds are a good indicator of such activity.
Late last week, it was revealed a 2.7 metre Bull Shark was responsible for the shark attack on a 31-year-old navy diver near Garden Island early in the morning of February 9.
The taylors experimented with certain “armour” but from what I saw there was no scientific way that it would be considered reliable. Some sharks lost interest, others didnt. Either way, you wouldn’t be able to surf properly wearing it – it was like chain-mail.
Sharks are primal, predatory ancient beasts which have hardly evolved since prehistoric times.
Chimpanzee’s are ~98% the same DNA as humans and very intelligent.
We saw last week that even primates can be unpredictable and attack humans, and what neeed to be done was done (ie, it was shot). Nobody wanted that to happen, but in those circumstances it was _necessary_.
While I do in a small way admire all the self appointed shark protection advocates for loving a creature which is about as endearing as a T-Rex, I truly do think you are kidding yourselves. These are fish. Big fish, yes, but the same general thing that ends up on ice at the local greasy food shop. Eat or be eaten, it’s pretty much the only real law of nature. I could go a tasty bit of flake with chips and tartare right now, delicious.
Also: If they don’t like to eat human flesh as many of you claim, they sure are stupid seeing as they consistently cannot see or smell the difference between a bony land-dweller and a blubber rich marine creature. In my book, I’d rather have less pea brained ocean dinosaurs and help the dolphins, seals, etc which are actually a much more highly evolved and harmonious (social) type of animal.
What’s next: cockroach conservationists?
Damien,
“Eat or be eaten, it’s pretty much the only real law of nature. I could go a tasty bit of flake with chips and tartare right now, delicious.”
Exactly my point! That’s nature and if the shark was hunting and a poor surfer just happened to end up on the menu – maybe that’s sharky’s “idea” of flake with chips???”
(I don’t want to sound disrespectful because my heart goes out to Glen. It must have been an absolutely horrific experience and I would never wish that on anyone.)
I’m not sure how you relate a chimp kept in captivity – out of it’s natural habitat – to this or any other shark attack. I think the only person to blame for the chimps attack is its owner!!!
Sharks may be as endearing as a T-Rex, but they are spectacular creatures who deserve to live in their own environment and shouldn’t be killed specifically because we make choices to enter that environment at our own risk. I don’t think the shark swam along that day and though mmm mmm what human shall I sample today. I just think the whole thing has been taken out of context now. Sharks and Humans generally shouldn’t mix, but it’s our choice to go play with them, therefore shouldn’t the responsibility fall upon us to protect ourselves instead of taking the lazy option of killing what we can’t control? Just a thought!
Bear in mind…the T-Rex had its place in time as do sharks, once they are lost we can never get them back!
At least the shark is better lookin that the cockroach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew it was a great white, never swim when norman is in town, not even in your backyard pool.
The only sharks you gotta watch at Bondi are on the beach, the carpark and anywhere but the water!!!
I would like to hear all the shark fans’ opinions of the latest shark attack in Avalon:
Still just a case of mistaken identity?
Are they misunderstood but lovely once you get to know them?
Just wait for the tourism numbers from the UK etc start nosediving and many ocean related businesses collapse and the balance will tip in favour of shark ‘control’ on beaches… Fishermen may well be to blame here if their overfishing off the heads is forcing sharks to come in closer in search of fish. They may need to be ‘controlled’ also!
C’mon Damien,
The Avalon attack was frightening thing for the young bloke involved, his Dad and everybody who helped him afterward but put it into perspective. The authorities have publicly warned about the current dangers What time was he attacked? Early morning. How many others were out? None but him and his dad..
Check out the quote from this article.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/shark-attacks-teen-surfing-with-his-dad-20090301-8l5q.html
“Mr Low said his 15-year-old son had twice seen a shark off the southern point at Avalon earlier this summer.
“What can you do? He loves surfing. So do all the other kids around here,” Mr Low said.
“It’s a way of life.”
Mr Low said he had noticed warmer temperatures and more fish in the water, which could be attracting sharks.
“I’ve been here all my life and we get the occasional shark spotting, but this year has been really different.”
Have a look at these statistics too:
http://www.taronga.org.au/tcsa/conservation-programs/australian-shark-attack-file.aspx
“Although Australia continues to have a bad reputation concerning the threat of shark attacks to swimmers, the statistics do not support these contentions. In the last 50 years, there have been only 56 human fatalities (1.12 per year) in Australian waters from shark attack. Some years there are none, other years there have been up to three in a year, but the average remains around one per year. Yet each year 100,000s of swimmer-days take place on our beaches, harbours and rivers and the number is increasing with both increasing population and tourism.”
cheers
Surfers warned of dangers after latest shark attack
ABC – March 1, 2009, 3:29 pm
Authorities are again warning the public about the dangers of swimming at certain times of day, after a shark attack in Sydney this morning.
A number of Sydney’s northern beaches remain closed this afternoon after a 15-year-old boy was mauled by a shark at Avalon Beach.
The teenager was surfing with his father when his left leg was bitten by a shark at about 6:30am.
It was the third shark attack in as many weeks.
Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald has described the attack on the teenager as “horrific”.
“Our thoughts are obviously with him and his family and our praise particularly goes to the emergency services who responded so quickly this morning,” he said.
The Minister says this latest incident again serves as a warning to people about the dangers of swimming at either dawn or dusk, or in overcast conditions.
“All three attacks have been either early in the morning or in the evening which lines up pretty conclusively to some extent with shark feeding habits,” he said.
He says the department is currently doing a survey of the harbour and along the coast to determine shark numbers and their movements.
It might result in the Government implementing further appropriate warnings about the risks.
Northern Beaches duty officer Richard Anjelkovich also says beach-goers should exercise care when swimming in the ocean.
“Please be wary, don’t swim at dawn and dusk, don’t swim if you see a lot of birds flocking in the water, or if you see a lot of fish and fisherman,” he said.
“Steer clear of them as well because that may attract them.”
The teenager was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with lacerations to his left leg, but in a stable condition.
David Rundle says he had just finished surfing when he saw the teen being helped from the water by his father.
He says the teenager’s injuries are severe.
“He’s got three major wounds. A wound on the thigh, he’s got a wound on the top of the leg muscle just under the knee which is about the size of your fist, and then he’s got a wound right on the ankle as that joins the foot, it’s quite a nasty rip and tear type of wound,” he said.
Helicopters and surf lifesavers are patrolling Sydney’s northern beaches searching for the shark.
You mates with Vic Damien?
Yeah thats a great idea, lets eliminate all the ugly, dangerous or annoying animals in the world. Flies are annoying, lets get rid of them too. Oh dear we’re up to our armpits in shit. Mozzies suck, lets wipe them out. Oh dear, fish stocks collapse as fingerlings have no food in their esturine breeding areas.
Sharks perform a vital role in the sea, as any top order predator does in their environment. Eliminating them would have very bad consequences. Already there are indications that lowered shark numbers are affecting fish stocks, particularly with poor genetic stock (small, slow, diseased) fish breeding and affecting the overall population. The same thing happens in farmed salman stocks, disease is rampant.
A Northern Beaches perspective:
http://au.travel.yahoo.com/b/nicolelenoirjourdan/158/a-surfers-perspective-on-the-shark-attacks
I’m going to give up eating fish. Immediately.
I urge you and everyone who reads/looks at lovely pictures on Aquabumps to do accordingly, immediately.
The sea is the shark’s domain.
One more fish for you is one less for a shark.
When up to 50,000 species of plants and animals become extinct every year on planet earth lets protect the most vulnerable.
Protect the shark now.
Before it’s too late.
But seriously, don’t worry about the shark. We’ll all be dead soon once we’ve finished heating up the planet sufficiently to cause another anoxic event.
What creatures will be left?
Probably the same species as after the last one……. the shark, the crocodile & the cockcroach included.
So maybe all the pious people around the place should make greenhouse gas emissions a priority, the sharks will look after themselves.
I shouldn’t be surprizing so hard at that.
I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.