A female oceanuser has reportedly been bitten by a shark in Western Australia.
The unidentified woman was off Tantabiddi Beach in the Ningaloo Marine Park June 6. Around 10:30 a.m. she was bitten by an unknown species of shark.
She was taken to Exmouth Medical Centre for treatment of non-life threatening wounds.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have been alerted and have initiated an investigation.
Parks and Wildlife Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the DPIRD are monitoring the area. They have advised all water users to take extra caution while in the marine park.
The Ningaloo Marine Park is a shared foraging area for both whale sharks and marine turtles. Filter feeding whale sharks often show up in large numbers the months of March to August and attract visitors from across the globe.
Visitors can enjoy a vast area of snorkeling areas that include both shallow water and advanced drift diving independent excursions.
Another snorkeler was bitten near the location in 2019.
Peter O’Halloran, 57, was snorkeling about 437 yards (400m) off the Exmouth Marina Dec. 6.
Around 9 a.m. a shark grabbed his left arm and bit down to the bone. O’Halloran was all alone in the water and had to make a 30 minute swim back to shore.
Thankfully, he was able to find his car and drive himself to the hospital. He was later transferred by air to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.
He didn’t blame the shark for the bite and realized it could have killed him if it wanted. O’Halloran also understands how important it is to let others know of your plans and dive with a buddy whenever possible.
Both locations have been marked on the 2020 Shark Attack Map.
