'In August 2012 a beach in Ceredigion, Wales was closed to bathers due to the presence of a blue shark. "Simon was funny, compassionate and always had time for people. "It's just an incredible feeling when you see them. "What was a very scary incident was made so much easier by the kindness and calmness of the people around me. He had a rare gift of instantly being able to connect with others, gaining their trust and respect.". A stunned local shared a picture of a fin she saw at Gunwalloe, south Cornwall. Shark fans have fearlessly taken to the sea again to go snorkelling despite a woman being hurt last week in the first shark attack of its kind in 175 years. A snorkeler off the coast of southern England has suffered a suspected shark bite, officials said on Tuesday, in what appears to be an extremely rare incident. The encounter happened about a mile north of Trevose Head lighthouse in Padstow, Cornwall on Sunday. Victim received leg injury while on organised excursion to swim with blue sharks. "At the time I thought it was a seal but, when I looked at the photos again, I thought it doesn't look like a seal.". The sun was shining and there wasnt a breath of wind. So it was a surprise to hear about an attack. But the people who reported these attacks may have mixed them up with other similar looking species. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. The shark had bitten straight through my oils, straight through my jeans and into my right leg. "The last thing we want is to let speculation drive the media into a world of bad press for the shark, under no fault of their own. Blue sharks visit the UK during the summer from the Caribbean and are known to mainly feed on small fish and squid. Babies: 4-135 pups a year (35 on average). Simon Nellist was a diving instructor and a regular swimmer at the beach where he died, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. ", Did you see what happened or do you know who was involved? In total, on a world-wide basis, there are four confirmed cases of fatal blue shark attacks on humans with twenty-five confirmed non-fatal attacks. The species - spotted swimming in a marina yards from a busy a tourist spot - is a shallow water variety rarely spotted in the UK. The coastguard team met the casualty at Penzance harbour to assist with passing them into the care of the ambulance service. Mr Pullen, who has been catching sharks for 45-years even suggested the fin could belong to a "small, immature great white" that came close to the shore to feed on seals and bass. A snorkeler is reported to have been bitten by a shark off Cornwall. A woman was bitten in a suspected shark attack off the coast of Cornwall Credit: Alamy. 'Following advice and assessment from the coastguard, the person walked off the boat and received further treatment ashore.'. It is thought one of the animals collided with the boat, capsizing it. However, the person added, "I don't for a second want this freak event to tarnish the reputation of an already persecuted species.". British man, 35, killed in Sydney shark attack, Sydney reports first fatal shark attack since 1963, Save Whipsiderry Cliffs group Newquay beach protest call, Protestors call on public to help stop 'desecration' of cliffs at beach protest, Mum's heartbreak as daughter left in tears after being subjected to racist messages over Snapchat, Whipsiderry beach contractors accused of illegally manhandling protesters on public beach, GP Practices in Liskeard and Camelford marked "requires improvement", Final phase of road works from South West Water start tomorrow, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. And usually very, very peaceful. "Simon was a gentle, kind and wonderful human being. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by a stunning coastline which I love to explore on foot or by SIB taking in the amazing scenery, sea life and if Im lucky, dinner!. Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Adult males can reach lengths of almost 3 metres (10 feet), while females can grow even larger, growing an extra foot in length. ", Ultimately, despite their normally calm nature, blue sharks must be respected as "incredible predators," he warns, "when we (humans) go into their habitat, we shouldn't really be surprised occasionally if there are things like this. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The woman is understood to have been in the water near the harbour in Penzance when the beast allegedly struck on July 28. There has not been an unprovoked shark attack in British waters since records began. Meanwhile, photos believedto be of a great whiteshark were captured by James Venn, 42, while he stood on the beach near Goring, West Sussex, on February 4. Lifeguards on jet skis then spent 20 minutes searching the water off Boscombe beach in Bournemouth after three reports of some kind of 'large marine life' under the water, an RNLI spokesman said. The last thing we want is to let speculation drive the media into a world of bad press for the sharks, under no fault of their own. "Thank you to the trip team for getting me back to shore quickly and carefully and making me feel as safe as I possible could. I continued to spectate at the marvel of the animal's curiosity before it swam away into the deep blue leaving me feeling rather lucky.. She was brought back to shore where she received medical attention from paramedics. Now the unnamed person has spoken out about the attack via the shark exploration company. Blue Shark Snorkel added that as soon as the swimmer was injured, they "immediately enacted our emergency response plan, with first aid being carried out on the person involved". So far in 2021 there have been 44 shark attacks including five fatalities, while in 2020 there were 60 bites with nine deaths - the highest since 2011. RNLI lifeguards put up red flags, the signal to warn swimmers of a serious hazard in the water and put out a tannoy announcement telling people to get out of the sea. The ', The victim had been swimming in the waters off Cornwall after sailing 15 miles out to sea on the Celtic Fox (pictured) as part of a snorkelling excursion. Mr Slater shares this view, arguing that despite this incident, there isn't "any reason for anybody to think that this is any more dangerous an activity than it ever has been". A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard sent Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team to meet a snorkeller who suffered a suspected shark bite. They are the most migratory shark on earth, travelling over 9,000km (5,700 miles) each year, according to Shark Trust UK. The company, Blue Shark Snorkel Trips, said: "We want to make everyone aware that we have had an incident. A blue shark attack is not going to happen to an ordinary person enjoying the coast, an expert from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has said. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. There's no need to close the beaches at this stage. He added: "This is something that nobody really expected, and a very, very rare and quite a sad story really, because it obviously tarnishes the reputation of an amazing animal. Cornish women are becoming the driving force at the world's largest china clay pit. The video was filmed by Alex Brace, a member of a local sailing club in Tenby, who was standing in the water docking a boat at the time. At times the crew had to follow after the shark with their boat, which threatened to break the line. Timeline of unprovoked incidents since 1900. This was the fish of a lifetime. They are the great white, tiger and bull and none of these species are found in British waters. In a statement put out by the trip company on Tuesday afternoon, the bite victim said: 'What was a very scary incident was made so much easier by the kindness and calmness of the people around me. "It is believed the swimmer suffered a leg injury. A light swell was rolling in from the Atlantic. The victim, reportedly a woman, was snorkelling in waters around Cornwall The skipper targeted the shark after hearing reports of it attacking seals off Islay in the Inner Hebrides. In April, astonishing pictures emerged of what locals in Plymouth, Devon, believed to be an unusual starry smooth-hound shark. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, A huge shark has been spotted off the coast of Cornwall, The 6ft long beast circled the small fishing boat owned by Oban Jones, 21, The boat was just a mile north of Trevose Head lighthouse in Padstow, Cornwall on Sunday, Oban was able to get back to shore to safety, Oban started fishing when he was just four-years-old, Jackass crew member 'Poopies' relives moment he was bitten by shark, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). A spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard sent Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team to meet a snorkeler who suffered a suspected shark bite. HM Coastguard confirmed that it is believed the injury was caused by a suspected shark bite. In a statement issued following the incident, they said: "I just wanted to say that, despite how the trip ended, it was amazing to see such majestic creatures in the wild and I dont for a second want this freak event to tarnish the reputation of an already persecuted species.". "I wanted to thank everyone for their amazing actions. Mr Pullen, who has been catching sharks for 45-years even suggested the fin could belong to a "small, immature great white" that came close to the shore to feed on seals and bass. The female swimmer was near Penzance when her leg was I dont know if I should be terrified or feeling very lucky to see this.. Comment. They are a predator.". Later in the same month another beach in West Dorset had to be closed for an hour and a half due to another blue shark.". So, yes, it's probably safe to go into the water this summer. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, A woman was bitten in a suspected shark attack off the coast of Cornwall, believed to be an unusual starry smooth-hound shark, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). In a statement, the boat tour agency said: "As we know, these things can happen when we choose to interact with wild animals in their own environment. View our online Press Pack. Habitat: Often found in the open ocean from the surface to depths of 600m. She was quite calm at the surface. A few species, such as the smooth hammerhead or frilled shark, may occasionally wander into British waters. 'Get out the water! 'Later in the same month another beach in West Dorset had to be closed for an hour and a half due to another blue shark.'. They are also the most heavily fished shark on the planet and are eaten for their meat across the world. In what was described as a very scary incident, the swimmer suffered a bite to the leg and needed help from HM Coastguard and ambulance crews following the encounter, which took place near 'These sort of trips have to be handled both sensitively for the shark and also safely for those who are taking part. Experts said it was the first incident involving a surfer in British waters, and one of only a handful of attacks in the past 100 years. Cornish women are becoming the driving force at the world's largest china clay pit. 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"These occurrences are extremely rare," the company said. April 2021: Last year, a monster porbeagle shark weighing 22 stone and measuring eight-foot long was reeled in off the Devon coast. From the best fish and chip shops and pasty sellers to insightful reads into the more isolated parts of Cornwall, Discover Cornwall will help open your eyes to everything this special county has to offer. The tour group said it was investigating how last week's attack could have happened. A snorkeler off the coast of southern England has suffered a suspected shark bite, officials said on Tuesday, in what appears to be an extremely rare incident. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The British Sea Fishing website reports: "Blue shark attacks on humans are extremely rare but have been recorded. He was a cherished fiance, son, brother, uncle and friend," they said. In a statement, she said: I just wanted to say that despite how the trip ended, it was amazing to see such majestic creatures in the wild and I dont for a second want this freak event to tarnish the reputation of an already persecuted species. In recent years their numbers have declined by as much as 60 per cent and their conservation status is now 'near threatened'. "These occurrences are extremely rare and can easily be misunderstood so we want this to be dealt with as sensibly as possible. Oban posts about his fishing adventures on his Youtube page: Oban on the water. Mr Berryman was airlifted from the trawler by the coastguard helicopter to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. It is believed the swimmer suffered a leg injury. August 2, 2022 / 2:30 PM 'I don't know what's happened on this occasion, I've heard that it was a tourist on a shark snorkelling trip who was injured, but the water would have been chummed first to attract the sharks. "Following advice and assessment from the coastguard, the person walked off the boat and received further treatment ashore. Alone at sea, the 21-year-old filmed the incredible encounter as the 6ft Porbeagle shark zipped around his boat. Ancient megalodon shark could eat a whale in a few bites, research suggests, Chinese influencer who ate great white shark investigated by police, A shark bit my arm and leg off. The coast of Cornwall is experiencing an increase in sightings of sharks. HM Coastguard has since confirmed that a rescue team was dispatched to offer assistance after the suspected shark attack. "HM Coastguard sent Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team to meet a snorkeler who suffered a suspected shark bite," a statement from a spokesperson from the Maritime Coastguard Agency said. We didn't keep her by the boat long, just enough to get a picture and then we let it go.". "We immediately enacted our emergency response plan, with first aid being carried out on the person involved. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall earlier today (August 3), Marine officer Matt Slater said the attack was unusual as people are highly unlikely to "encounter a blue shark just by accident around the Cornish coast". The female swimmer is said to have been on a snorkelling trip to see blue sharks in Penzance harbour. In May 2018, a Porbeagle shark bit a fisherman off the coast of Cornwall as it was being returned to the sea. Martin Yelland, 38, was diving just off the coast of Penzance when the blue shark swam straight towards him. "The coastguard team met the casualty at Penzance harbour to assist with passing them into the care of the ambulance service.". The company, Blue Shark Snorkel Trips, said: "We want to make everyone aware that we have had an incident. The sharks, which are considered to be vulnerable to extinction, have reportedly only bitten swimmers or boats on a handful of occasions. Sharks appearing near our water are not uncommon. An coastguard spokesperson said: 'HM Coastguard sent Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team to meet a snorkeler who suffered a suspected shark bite. "We've tried to understand why it happened and are in continued talks with shark experts. I put a lot of time and effort into chasing the rich variety of fish in the waters of Cornwall. She suffered a leg injury and was treated by medics at the scene at around 12.30pm. The Shark Trust draws a distinction between provoked and unprovoked incidents for example where a shark is caught by a fishing net or reeled in by anglers, this is classed as a provoked attack. Incredibly, Mr Berrymans injuries are only the fourth recorded incident involving a porbeagle injuring a human anywhere in the world. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Now the unnamed person has spoken out about the attack via the shark exploration company. 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