MAUI, Hawaii (7 May 2007) -- A woman snorkeling off Maui was bitten by a shark today, about an hour after a nearby beach was closed because of a shark sighting. The woman, believed to be in her 60s, sustained injuries to her foot and calf and was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center. The injuries were not life threatening, Maui County spokeswoman Mahina Martin. Authorities did not immediately release the woman's name or hometown. The attack occurred off Keawakapu Beach in Kihei. It was reported at 8:34 a.m. by a bystander on the beach. The size and type of shark was not immediately known. At 7:30 a.m., a surfer reported that his friend's surfboard was bumped by what appeared to be a tiger shark at nearby Kamaole Beach Park II, prompting a closure of that beach and a shark alert by the county. "Normally, what happens in a shark sighting is they close that front area and a one mile up and down the beach," Martin said. She said Keawakapu is more than one mile from Kamaole. After the attack, the beach closure was expanded to a four-mile stretch from Kalama Park to Wailea. The area was being monitored by lifeguards and state wildlife officials. The last shark attack in Hawaii occurred in November in the same area. Kyle Gruen, 29, was bit by a shark he estimated to be six to 10 feet long while swimming 10 yards off Kamaole. Gruen, of Vancouver, Canada, suffered injuries to his hand and leg. It was one of four Hawaii shark attacks in 2006. None were fatal. There are about 40 species of sharks that live in Hawaiian waters, but the most frequently encountered are the tiger, whitetip reef, sandbar, and scalloped hammerhead sharks, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. 
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Sharks: Bad Rap vs Reality | Myth: Sharks have the killing edge. Truth: Sharks kill an average of eight people worldwide a year, while millions of sharks are killed. Myth: Humans are shark bait. Truth: Sharks really prefer fish, seabirds, seals, dolphins, sea lions and dead whales. After one bite of a human, a shark usually lets go. Myth: Sharks target surfers. Truth: Attacks on surfers often occur near breeding colonies of seals or sea lions. With arms and legs dangling over their boards, surfers look like seals to the sharks. And only a few (great whites, bulls and sand sharks) attack people--through mistaken identity. They seem to be attracted to the blood of some animals, but nobody knows about human blood in particular. Myth: Shark threat looms. Truth: You stand a greater chance of choking on a toothpick than getting attacked by a shark. Myth: The great white shark--the kind portrayed in "Jaws"--has vicious, terrifying teeth. Truth: "Jaws'' teeth are like those of a mako shark, which stick out like rows of daggers even when the mako's mouth is closed. Myth: After 400 million years of developing into killers with an uncanny awareness, armed with navigation systems and natural timing, sharks' only value is as fearsome monsters. Truth: Sharks keep reefs healthy, preying on weak and diseased animals. Myth: Shark feeders aim to conserve sharks. Truth: Shark feeders aim to make money with "interactive" scuba diving activities that harm marine wildlife and threaten public safety. SOURCE: Shedd Aquarium, CDS |
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