A fatal shark attack has occurred in Northern New South Wales, Australia.
Robin Pedretti, 60 was surfing with a friend off Salt Beach, which is just south of Kingscliff June 7.
Around 10:00 a.m. an estimated 10-foot-long great white shark approached Pedretti from the back and bite the back of Pedretti’s left thigh and lower leg.
Pedretti’s friend and a good Samaritan heard Pedretti call out and immediately went to his aid. The two attempted to stabilize the Gold Coast resident as the shark circled the trio. As the trio was making their way back to the beach, the shark followed and at one point rammed one of the surfers boards.
Once back on the beach first aid was administered to the still conscious surfer and three ambulances were dispatched to Casuarina Beach. Unfortunately Mr. Pedretti succumbed to his injuries.
The Department of Primary Industries dispatched a helicopter and watercraft to search for the shark.
“Under the Department of Primary Industry’s shark Incident response protocols, permission may be granted to destroy the shark, if it is considered an ongoing threat to human life,” a NSW Police statement said.
“This process involves consultation by the incident commander with the commander of Marine Area Command as well as the Department of Primary Industries, which comes under the DPI’s ‘Threat to Life’ policy.
“Due to concerns that the shark had to be fought off by other board-riders, and that it remained in the vicinity for several hours after the attack, police were granted permission to destroy the shark.
“Police and local rescue helicopter crews monitored the area for some hours; however, the shark left the vicinity about 1.15 pm and has not been seen since”
Following shark attack protocol beaches in the area have been closed for 24 hours.
This is the third fatal shark attack in Australia this year.
Zach Robba, 23, sustained fatal injuries off the remote North West Island April 6. Robba was swimming with friends when a shark severed his legs and hand.
Gary Johnson, 57, was killed off Cull Island on the south coast town of Esperance. Johnson had just entered the water when he was attacked by a great white shark Jan. 5.
The number of deaths related to shark attacks are minuscule compared to the number of people who use the ocean. Drowning is a much more serious issue. According to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia “276 people lost their life to drowning in Australia from July 2018 to June 2019.”
All shark attack locations have been marked on the 2020 Shark Attack Map.
